By Jim Young / jimyoungreporter@gmail.com
Fifteen years ago it was much easier to properly locate fire stations; you simply drew a three mile circle and used that overlay on a city map.
That is not the case anymore.
During a public meeting at Crossville's Palace Theatre, city officials and a state fire consultant explained how locating a fire hall is currently accomplished using road maps, geographic information services and property value data from the tax assessor's office and city road maps. Those factors take into account the risk to property for insurance companies and how well the city is protected by quick responding fire units.
Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham III opened the meeting discussing how the city of Crossville had grown 60 percent over the last two decades. “Crossville could grow another 60 percent in the next 20 years,” added Graham. “I wouldn't be surprised to see a total community population of 100,000 by the end of that time.”
Graham also pointed out that some 73 million baby boomers will retire in the next few years, “and we will get our share.” Graham said “The community is promoting it and we must pay attention to all the needs, not the least of which is fire protection.”
Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner told the audience that when he started as fire chief the city's ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating was a “7 headed toward an 8.” In 1993 the fire department include only one station and no aerial truck. Currently the department has two stations, 27 full time personnel, four pumper trucks and one ladder aerial truck. Crossville has had an ISO rating of 4 for the last 15 years.
In addition to fire fighting the department operates a first responder program for medical emergencies as well as vehicle extrication, high angle rescue, HAZMAT and diving teams. Education is another important program by the department.
Turner explained part of the reason for the meeting, “We want the citizens to know how their money is spent. We don't ever want to waste the money taxpayers money.” Turner concluded, “We can't afford not to do this.”
According to Turner fire station placement is now a complex matrix where the ISO looks at 1.5 mile road driving distance and/or 1000 feet from a fire hydrant. Currently the two city fire stations actually have a coverage of just 31.2 percent of the city with the new ISO rule changes.
In addition the National Fire Protection Association standards require four firefighters at the scene within 5 minutes 90 percent of the time. Turner said that time includes one minute for getting into gear and out of the station.
In addition for a full alarm call, 14 to 15 personnel must be on the scene within 9 minutes 90 percent of the time.
In fire fighting and medical emergency said Turner, “Minutes and seconds count.”
While a fire starts small, it grows quickly. Part of the reason for quick response is that house fires will go into what is called flashover after 8 to 10 minutes of free burning. A flashover is when a room bursts into flames at about 600 degrees. A human will not survive being in a flashover without proper protection.
Assistant fire chief Chris South presented information on station location evaluation using geographic information system data and appraisal value of city properties. Based on those detailed studies, the best location of the three possible west side fire station locations is at Holiday Drive and Sparta Highway.
Currently the city owns property at the corner but preliminary information indicates some $250,000 of site preparation will be required to use the site. An more suitable piece of property across Sparta Highway may also be available for purchase by the city. That property is currently being evaluated.
The Holiday Drive location fire hall would cover 25 percent of the city in area but covers a higher percentage of the value of city properties. Consultant Gary West said he endorses the study by the city that he called a very competitive presentation.
West said that city taxpayers decide about the fire department by what they are willing to fund. Fire coverage can be good enough or if citizens are willing to pay for better coverage it will keep their fire insurance rates down.
West added that the last Crossville ISO inspection was 15 years ago and the city is probably overdue for an ISO rating. West said he felt with all the city's growth the ISO score would not be as good as it is now.
A presentation on the fire station will be made at the March city council meeting for the next step in the project.
Mayor Graham said additional town hall meetings on other topics of interest to city residents would be scheduled in the future.
