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Fire Districts -, continued <br /> Southern Triangle Fire District (See Damascus Fire District) <br /> • Refer to the section regarding Damascus Fire District for this department's achievements. <br /> • North Chatham Volunteer Fire Department serves people in this district as well as those in <br /> the Damascus area. <br /> White Cross Fire District $'1 87, 147 <br /> 0 The tax rate for this district is recommended to remain at the effective tax rate of 5.05 cents <br /> for FY 2009-10. The department did request a .95 cents tax increase to 6.00 cents to pay <br /> for a mortgage loan in anticipation of beginning construction of a needed building addition, <br /> and this tax rate increase would put them in a good position to qualify for federal stimulus <br /> funds that may become available. <br /> ® In FY 2008-09, the department successfully lowered its ISO rating to a 7, completed the <br /> vehicle, machinery, and eqUipment portion of the NC Rescue Technician certification, <br /> purchased hydraulic rescue tool with grant funds, received a FEMA grant to purchase 10 <br /> new NFPA self contained breathing apparatus and a new breathing air compressor with fill <br /> station, purchase a responder/command vehicle equipped with mobile repeaters and EMS <br /> equipment, replaced 4 sets of turnout gear, and trained extensively with the 800 MHz radios <br /> in preparation for communication cut-over. <br /> 0 In FY 2009-10, the department plans to proceed with bids to construtt,a building addition for <br /> additional truck bays, continue educating and training members to stay current with ISO <br /> requirements, apply for available stimulus monies to be used for fire department station <br /> renovations and additions (which will require a small tax rate as requested to allow them to <br /> proceed with a "Construction Ready Plan", apply for a thermal imager grant, and begin a <br /> new recruitment program to try and acquire more volunteer members. <br /> a The department's five year plan includes efforts to procure a loan and grant funds for an <br /> addition and renovations to the existing building, replace a 22 year old tanker with a larger <br /> gallon capacity truck needed for a lower ISO rating, and continue educating and training <br /> members to stay current with ISO requirements. <br /> 19-5 <br />