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This page was created on November 5, 2001.
ISO announces a new rating system effective July 1, 2014. |
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This page was created on November 5, 2001.
ISO announces a new rating system effective July 1, 2014. |
The following
is a blow, by blow listing of
what took place along the way:
August 20, 2001
ISO Representative John Shipman arrived at our administration offices
located at station 1. The main focus for the day was to determine
the changes in the hydrant system for the fire district since the last
evaluation in 1993. Genesee
County Water & the Swartz Creek Department of Public Services (DPS) was
contacted to receive authorization to flow hydrants. Hydrant
flowing is done
to establish flow area in various areas. The locations that are
picked are determined by ISO after analyzing maps & other resources
available associated with the water main & flow requirements of the
district.
August 21, 2001
A meeting between Shipman/ISO, City Manager Museus, DPS Director
Svreck & myself was set up for 1300, to discuss the odd/even water
ban & our ability to flow hydrants in the City of Swartz
Creek. Shipman arrived at mid-morning to continue his analysis of
the hydrant system of our district. The meeting was held and the
conclusion was the hydrants would be testing in the city limits at a later
date. Shortly before 1400, FF Kimbrue, FF Urbanik (both on E12),
Shipman & myself left to start flowing/testing hydrants within Clayton
Township. 6 hydrants were tested in various locations. When
concluded, Shipman was escorted around Clayton Township to get an
overview of locations that would require high than normal water flows due to the
size and/or complexity of the buildings. We returned to station 1
at 1640. At 1800, the tankers that were previously timed for
dumping & filling had arrived at station 1. A short briefing
was held in the conference to advise everyone that each unit would dump
& be filled at least once. This would be done at the same
location as previously. Everyone proceeded to the destination
locations with the dumping be performed first. Once completed, E12
picked up the portable water tank & proceeded to set up at the
hydrant location.
With the fill times completed, the tankers were
fueled and all the SCAFD units prepared to be evaluated to deploy water,
flowing a minimum of 250 GPM within 5 minutes and continue until Shipman
indicated that he was satisfied with our performance. Crews were
assigned to the participating units and the timing started 200' from the
position 21 was to take.
Water started to flow within 3 minutes
and was recorded to be flowing 400+ GPM at first, but then reduced to
350 GPM.
Tanker 23 connected to 21. E11 set up draft. E12 dropped the portable tank & then stretched 200' of 4" to
tanker 23. Hydrant water was used to fill the portable tank.
When finished, Shipman congratulated the remain personnel on their professionalism.
When asked what he thought the outcome of their efforts would result in,
he indicated that it looked good, but the remain paperwork analysis,
along with the flowing of city hydrants, would be the deciding
factor. The day was concluded between 2100 & 2130, depending
on the station units placement back in service. Shipman indicated
that he would return on Wednesday, August 22, in the morning to continue
the evaluation of our books.
Thanks again to
Gaines Township Fire Dept.,
Hazelton Township Fire Dept.,
Venice Township Fire Dept.,
& Vernon Township Fire Dept.,
for providing the needed tankers that may eventually make our ISO rating
better for the locations without hydrants in our fire district.
A special thanks to FF Todd Kimbrue & FF Barb Urbanik for help with
the water flow in Clayton Township. A to the personnel that
participated in the dump, fill & deployment, which includes,
FF Joe
Barr, FF Brendt Cole, FF Mike George, FF Dave Jones, FF Todd Kimbrue,
Battalion Chief Jack King, Captain Steve Tabit & FF Barb Urbanik
for
a job well done!
August
22, 2001
Although we weren't able to start until after lunch, the topics that
information was requested included:
1. Building size information for locations within Clayton Township (part
of which was collected through RTK)
2. Total road and street miles within our fire district with distinctions
between paved & unpaved was received from both municipalities.
Clayton results:
City of Swartz Creek: 9.0 major, 12.5 local, 21.5 total
3. Provide pages from our map book indicating hydrants in Clayton
Township.
August 23,
2001
1. Pump certificates (that could be found) were copied.
2. Continued to provide information on site specific locations.
3. Verified each engines inventory of equipment & hose previously
provided. This meant a visit to each station was done. While
there, pictures of each station were taken.
Due to previous commitments, the next return was set for Tuesday, August
28.
August 28,
2001
A call was received from ISO advising that John Shipman is once
again ill and unable to keep the appointment that was scheduled.
It is unknown as to the length of time that John will be back. The
caller was advised that it was preferred that John be able to pick up
where he left off as soon as he is able.
On Sept. 18, due to the amount of time, a message has been left to
determine the finalization of the evaluation.
On October 2, John Shipman called to let me know he is recovering and
will be back at it soon. A date of October 23 has been set up for
a return visit. It's good to know you are feeling better John!
Contact on October 23: Unfortunately, John has once again taken
ill. Contact has been made requesting an alternate ISO
Representative come to take readings on the flow test of hydrants within
Swartz Creek before the end of October, as the SC-DPS wants to flush
& pump the hydrants before then.
October 29: Roger Wesch called to set up Oct. 30, starting at 0900, to
flow test the hydrants in Swartz Creek.
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October 30,
2001
Roger Wesch showed up at 0900 to start the
testing with in the city. After 14 individual tests, the testing
concluded at approximately 1430. Thanks to Barb Urbanik &
Brendt "Jr" Cole to sticking it out. Because of other
commitments, no breaks were taken except to move from one location to
another.
On December 10, email contact was made with Roger Wesch. December
12, 1000, was set up to review our training records.
December
12,
2001
Roger Wesch arrived at our station 1 at
1000. Records that were reviewed included FFTC Officer level
certification for all SCAFD Officers, Pre-Fire Survey files, and hose
testing records.
After a break for lunch, a trip was made to the Genesee County 911
Center. There Roger extensively reviewed the dispatching protocols
for the SCAFD including automatic mutual aid, as well the back up
systems in place.
At the conclusion, Roger indicated that we wouldn't be aware of the
outcome until the second quarter of 2002 with any rate change not taking
effect until July 2002. Rating changes are done on a quarterly
basis. With the illness of John Shipman, reviews have been back
logged, thus causing the delay in our final evaluation determination.
John Shipman is expected to return from sick leave after January 1.
With the appreciated help from Roger Wesch, and the final paperwork
review from John, we hope the rating for the fire district will be
improved over all.
Only time will tell the tale!
February 21, 2002
A reply to a February 18 email from Roger Wesch advised him of the
status of Engine 22 (located at station 3) had passed pump testing and
was in full service. In addition, the AMA information with Venice
Township was provided in a hope that it will be included in the ISO
rating pending.
February 26,
2002
Information regarding the number of structure fires & units
that responded was requested by Roger Wesch for 2001. The
information was faxed.
February 27,
2002
I was advised by Roger Wesch and the information I provided
needed to include the number of personnel that where ultimately on
scene. I filled out the form again, this time including the
numbers requested. In addition, Mr. Wesch advised that the pending
Venice Township AMA is going to be included in our evaluation.
February 28, 2002
Mr. Wesch advised via email that he felt that both communities will be
please with the anticipated rating, but could not reveal the number at
this time.
April 29, 2002
An email of inquiry was sent to Roger Wesch, requesting a
status of the impending rating change. The following is the
response received the same day:
How are things chief? The results have made our list which will be
effective July 1. The city and township should get the results sent to
them anytime from now until then. So you should be hearing something in
the near future and trust you will be pleased. If you need
anything else, please let John or me know. Thanks again for all
your help and patience during the grading process.
April 30,
2002
An email was sent with the following message:
Roger, Thanks for the quick response.
I guess I was hoping the SCAFD would receive a rating
indication notification also, but it appears as
though I will have to get the results from either
Clayton Township or Swartz Creek. Regards, Brent
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May 9, 2002
A reply email received from Roger Wesch advised of the following:
FYI. The Chicago Processing Center has been advised to send copies of
the letters to the SCAFD fire board chairperson.
June 3,
2002
An email was sent to Roger Wesch requesting a status of the rating
notification to be sent to the individual municipalities.
June 10,
2002
An email was received from Roger Wesch advising that there are some
administrative items were still being completed and then the letters
should be getting mailed within the next few weeks.
June 27,
2002
A review of a June 20, 2002, letter received from ISO generated
questions about the classification that was determined. John
Shipman was contacted, of which he advised that he would investigate the
situation and contact me with the actually classification we have been
rated for.
June 28,
2002
John Shipman left a message on our answering machine indicated that the
fire district rating is now 5/10. This means all the district is a
5, except those area that do not have a fire station with in 5
miles. An email was sent to John this AM to try & determine
the area's that are a 10. In addition, it was requested that some
time in the future, it could be explained as to what could be done to
improve the numbers associated with various categories that determined
the rating.
July 15,
2002
Received an email from John Shipman advising that it has become
ISO's policy to indicate a rating of "10" for those locations
that are not serviced by a fire station within 5 miles, as the vehicle
drives.
July 18,
2002
Received an email from Roger Wesch, explaining the previous &
current rating. Below is a copy of his email:
Brent.
There have always been Class 10 areas in Clayton Township. Our current
Classification Manual only allows us to show 2 classes, therefore, when
we have situations like that in Clayton Township where there were
actually 3 classes (6/9/10) we only published the first two (6/9). The
manual rules always have indicated that Class 10 applies (see the
attached copy of the rules page applicable at the time of the last
grading). With the new grading only 2 classes now apply (5/10). The
Class 9 areas have now improved to Class 5 without regard to the hydrant
distance rules. In addition, the portion of the village of Lennon
protected by your department (the part in Genesee County) has improved
from Class 9 to Class 5. Unfortunately our new corporate letter
structure no longer explains the variations or rules that may apply in
these types of situations. Previously our letters normally explained the
Classes and areas that were affected. Perhaps the department or the
township may have copies of our letters sent after the 1993 grading
which may help shed some light on the situation. You can locate these
areas yourself by using the township street map and mark the 5 road mile
running distance from your 3 station as well as the Flushing station.
Make sure you use road distance, as the apparatus must drive, not
as the "crow flies". The result will be irregular shaped
polygons and not circles. From this you will see those areas that are
more than 5 road miles, or Class 10. As I remember, all of the southern
half is within 5 miles and the only areas that are over 5 miles are
small pockets in the northeastern, northern and northwestern sections of
the township. I hope that this will be of further help in clearing
up this situation.
October 14, 2004
Received a request to update ISO's records, using a "Fire
Protection Survey" form. 4 pages were completed, and maps
were updated to reflect the closure of Station 3.
October 28, 2004
Received a letter from ISO for updates. We later received a letter
indicating our ISO classification is still a 5.
October 16, 2006
Received a letter from ISO for updates. The survey form returned in
October 2004 was included. This survey form didn't include the same
questions as in 2004.
October 17, 2006
Most of the information was filled out. Response times are to be
provided.
October 27, 2008
Received a letter from ISO for updates. The packet included 3 area maps
(Clayton Township, Lennon east of M-13 & Swartz Creek). In the letter, it
indicated to contact them via email if no changes were indicated. That
email was sent the same day as the letter was received, since no changes have
taken place.
For ISO information please visit their web
site by
CLICKING
HERE!
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