Jeff Watson

jwatson@thecherawchronicle.com

PATRICK---After nearly 20 years of service to Bay Springs and surrounding communities, the Bay Springs Volunteer Fire Department brought ISO ratings down from 9 to 6. The rating had been at a 9 since the fire department was established in 1986.

The lower rating will allow property owners who are within five miles of the fire department to receive a reduced rate on insurance.

There are 18 active firefighters on the Bay Springs Fire Department. Each of the firefighters completed extra training to help lower the ISO ratings.

Bay Springs training officer Billy Deese said that having the firefighters getting additional training showed their dedication.

"We have a great group of guys that are willing to work," Deese said. "We have a few that are up there everyday to help out the fire department and others are up there at least once a week."

With additional help from the community and volunteers, ratings could drop more. Deese said more trucks and other things would help as well.

Deese said that over the years, there have people a lot of people who have helped to get the fire department to where it is today. Deese also said that some members of the community have called or stopped to show their appreciation for the department's hard work.

"I've had a couple people come up to me and tell me that they were saving on their insurance this year," Deese said. "We know that having lower ISO ratings helps the property owners and we want to help."