Bakertown Volunteer Fire Department improves response rating

Bakertown Volunteer Fire Department had a big celebration Tuesday night. Homeowners, landowners and businesses within its coverage area will likely see insurance savings. Lee Kennedy, rating inspector with the N.C. Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal, was there to deliver the good news.

Bakertown’s fire response rating went from a 9S to a 6. Departments are scored on a 1-10 scale under the N.C. Response Rating System, with lower numbers indicating better fire protection. When ratings improve, insurance premiums generally fall for homeowners and businesses.

“Y’all have a lot to be proud of,” Kennedy told a room full of firefighters. Bakertown Fire Chief Kevin Gardner said he was especially happy for residents and businesses.

“It shows that all this hard work we’re doing is paying off, hours upon hours of training and checking equipment,” Gardner said. “This goes to everybody. We did it.”

The new rating will go into effect Oct. 1.

The Bakertown fire district primarily covers N.C. 42 East and the Bridgersville area. The state inspection looks for several things, including proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

Wilson County Emergency Management Director Gordon Deno, Wilson County Community Preparedness Coordinator Rodney Dancy, Commissioner Sherry Lucas and County Manager Ron Hunt were also present for the news Tuesday.

“The work it takes for this to go forward is commendable,” said Lucas, who represents the area.

Deno said the insurance rating directly affects homeowners, property and business owners.

“That’s why this is important,” he said. “The fire departments work very hard to improve their ratings.”

Kennedy also noted that Bakertown also has a substation, which means they have a second fire station that keeps their fire district within 5 miles of a fire truck. That substation is at Pender’s Crossroads.

“That will keep everybody within 5 miles of a fire truck to keep that 6 (rating),” he said. Bakertown’s fire district tax rate was also lowered under the county’s newly adopted budged. That rate went from 6.5 to 4.5 cents.

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