News

Gerton Fire & Rescue receives higher rating

By Bill Moss, Published: January 4, 2017

Gerton residents could see lower homeowners insurance costs with the news that the Gerton Fire & Rescue Department has received an improved fire protection rating from the state.

Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin announced Tuesday that Gerton received a rating of 4 from the previous 6. (The lower the rating number the better.) An inspection, conducted by officials with the Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal, is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System. Among other things, the routine inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

The fire rating goes into effect April 1 and some homeowners and  businesses could see a decrease in fire insurance premiums.

"It truly depends on each insurance company" when it comes to premium reductions, said Gerton Fire Chief Jay Alley. Businesses could be more likely to see reductions than homes, he added.

"We had increased training, which helped tremendously," he said. "The Grand Highlands water system (on Bearwallow Mountain) helped, too. We now have paid staff." The department has a full-time firefighter covering the station 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"We're just excited about it," Alley said. "For us with the limited resource we have to get a 4 is astronomical."
"I'd like to congratulate Chief Alley for the department's performance and for the hard work of all the department members," said Commissioner Goodwin.

State law requires OSFM officials to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or less, which makes up all but six of the state's fire districts.