ECVFD, city working to lower insurance costs
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

A lower property insurance bill for El Campo home and business owners is the goal of a pending fire department and city water supply review.

Should the Insurance Services Organization or ISO determine the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department is better equipped, trained and prepared to respond to structure fires than they were five years ago, a homeowner's insurance costs could drop 5 to 7 percent while rates for commercial property could drop 4 to 13 percent.

That savings won't be seen immediately, however.

The city and its firefighting volunteers are still preparing for an inspection.

The entire process could take two to three years before bills lower.

But they are in the works, El Campo Fire Chief Jimmy George Jr. said.

"We're trying to get El Campo to a lower rating," he said. "Right now we could be a 4."

The department is hoping for an even lower rating.

Insurance rates are based on an area's ISO rating, a 1 to 10 scoring system judging the make-up of the fire department, including equipment and training, water supply and the fire department's proven ability to respond to emergencies.

The city's water supply and ability to deliver it accounts for 40 percent of the score while 10 percent of the score is based on facilities and dispatching.

One is the best - only eight communities in Texas have that level of protection, including Houston, Stafford and Tomball. More than 44,000 communities nationwide are judged.

El Campo is currently considered a 5 for fire protection within the city limits or within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant while Louise and Wharton are both a 6.

Danevang and Glen Flora have 9 ratings and East Bernard comes in at 7. Hillje isn't rated.

The last change in El Campo's ISO rating came in 2002 when the unincorporated area within five miles of the city limits dropped its rating from 10 to 9, bringing those residents an estimated 2 to 5 percent savings.

Since then, the department has added a training facility off North Wharton Street, purchased a new tanker truck and new rescue vehicle. A new pumper is scheduled for delivery in January and includes a compressed air foam system which should dramatically assist the department in minimizing damage.

Also during the last five years, the city has renovated much of its water system by replacing and refurbishing water towers, adding hydrants in several areas and targeting others for line replacements.

Now the city is working with ISO Consultant Mike Pietsch to evaluate all aspects of the fire service to try to reach the criteria of a 3.

"That could be a savings to the citizen of $100 to $125 per $100,000," George said, adding it also makes the city more attractive for commercial ventures since they would be better protected.

Improvements are feasible.

"One main thing that would have to be done is at the training field," George said. "We need to increase the height of the drill tower. It needs to be at least two stories."

The department has already realigned its response to any and all structure fires, the chief said, adding three units - two pumper trucks and the aerial ladder - are ready to roll.

When such a call comes in, a chief proceeding directly to the scene will make the determination on whether the situation calls for more or less equipment.

Training is also becoming more intense.

Each volunteer firefighter is now expected to do 20 hours of training each month, George said.

"They have a family and they have a job and they still get the hours," he said. "I applaud the guys who do this."

There are currently 58 volunteer firefighters in El Campo.