FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUTHORITY: Jamie Fulk, Fire Chief
Telephone: 862-4586
Date: June 27, 2006

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC - North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Jim Long announced today that the Town of Elizabethtown and the Elizabethtown Rural Fire District, formally known as Tory Hole Fire District, have successfully lowered their insurance ratings. Most rural departments like Elizabethtown fall into the 9S category, but due to persistent work and support the Fire Department was able to lower their ratings.

The Town of Elizabethtown received a 5 rating which is an improvement over the previous 6 rating, and the Elizabethtown Rural Fire District received a straight 6 rating which is a dramatic improvement over the previous 6/9 rating. In the past, district residents who lived within 1000 feet of a hydrant received a 6 rating while people who lived further from a hydrant received a 9S rating. Due to this inspection everyone in the Elizabethtown Rural Fire District will now enjoy the benefits of the class 6 rating no matter where the hydrant is located.

The new classification inside the Town should result in a decrease in the property insurance calculations for many insured commercial properties. Commissioner Long indicated the new rating would take effect on October 1, 2006. Homeowners should verify with their insurance agents that their premiums are based on the new insurance ratings after the official October date. Some businesses and homeowners should be eligible for premium reductions as a result of the inspection.

Officials with the Department of Insurance, Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) conducted the inspection. This inspection looked for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communication capabilities and available water. The inspection evaluated the records of the Department from the past three years. OSFM officials spent four days going through past records of the Department and evaluating the Fire Department's water hauling capabilities.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Jim Long congratulated the Elizabethtown Fire Department on their improvements and commended the Department for their dedication and commitment to making the community a safer place to live. Commissioner Long also stated, "The citizens of Elizabethtown and the Rural Fire District should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency."

Elizabethtown Fire Chief Jamie Fulk said, "None of these improvements would have been possible if not for the volunteers of the Department and paid staff. All of these people worked hard for many years checking hydrants, hoses, equipment, and undergoing countless hours of training". Chief Fulk stated he would like to say a big thank you to all the people who have supported this inspection especially the Elizabethtown Town Council, Town Manager David Bone, Bladen County Commissioners, Bladen County Fire Marshal's Office and the Elizabethtown Rural Fire District Board. He also expressed appreciation to the surrounding fire departments that spent countless hours hauling water during training exercises getting ready for this inspection. "Even though these other departments did not directly benefit from this inspection, they gave it their all," according to Chief Fulk.