Orange County NC Website
290,000. Seven years ago, we purchased a tanker for about $ 90,000. To <br />replace that today would cost about $ 180,000. This shows above normal <br />inflationary increase for a 10 -year period at 5% annual inflation, however the <br />average inflation rate during this period was below 5%. So, with both pieces of <br />equipment we see a cost increase that is higher than simple inflation. We have <br />notices this with other equipment we must purchase. So the first point I would <br />like to call to the commissioners attention is that fire departments attempting to <br />maintain (not even improve) their resources are seeing cost rise faster than the <br />cost of inflation and the property assessments that generate their operating <br />revenue. <br />In the case of Efland, if the goal is to have at least an engine, tanker, and <br />brush truck that are newer than 20 years old we will need to spend in the next 10 <br />years about $550,000. This is almost 7 years of our budget at the current levels. <br />In an age where many items get cheaper, the cost of firefighting is increasing <br />even when inflation is factored in. We don't have a specific action to recommend, <br />but feel that the Commissioners should be aware of this incipient problem. <br />The only action Efland can take to reduce the impact of the spiraling cost <br />of firefighting is to obtain a better ISO/Insurance rating. This lowers the cost of <br />homeowner insurance for citizens in our district. We have been working on this <br />for about three years. Other departments are also facing these same rising cost, <br />and could help offset the impact by working on a better rating. Obtaining a better <br />rating involves a mix of having the correct equipment, the documentation to show <br />a departments state of readiness, and a variety of information about other <br />departments and the county. Obtaining a better insurance rating means that the <br />quality of service delivered goes up while the cost of homeowner insurance for <br />the taxpayer goes down. While a better rating can not completely compensate <br />for the increasing cost of fire protection, it demonstrates a philosophy of quality <br />and efficiency many would claim are missing from governmental agencies today. <br />When the position of county Fire Marshal was established, the <br />departments were told that one of the duties of the position was to assist fire <br />departments in obtaining a better insurance rating. We value the assistance of <br />the Fire Marshal. He is always of assistance on the fireground and puts in long <br />hours far beyond what most people in his position would tolerate. We do not <br />have a suggestion as to how Orange County Emergency Management can better <br />help all departments to obtain a better rating as promised. Since we do not <br />having a detailed knowledge of how Emergency management is run it would be <br />out of place for us to suggest any options. We would. appreciate the <br />commissioners working with Emergency Management to develop a plan and <br />allocate the resources to tackle this job. This solves a real problem, puts value <br />and efficiency into all of the county's emergency services,- and avoids waste and <br />duplication of effort. <br />Part of the documentation required to obtain a better insurance rating is to <br />provide accurate maps of one's fire district, showing water points and hydrants. <br />The Land Records office does not have the resources to gather and enter this <br />7 <br />