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6 <br /> Philip Nasseri of White Cross Fire said they face personnel cost issues and inflation on <br /> maintenance and apparatus purchases. He said their debt service is wrapped into the tax rate. <br /> He said that a third of the request is for personnel. He said inflation has affected the cost of <br /> maintaining equipment. He said they would cut staff if the tax rate is not approved. He said this is <br /> the only place they can make cuts and that would impact the ISO rating and response times. He <br /> said the insurance increase would be higher than the tax increase. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is aware of the impact of the ISO rating. He said the fire <br /> service is one thing that every resident benefits from. He said that he is not suggesting a cut and <br /> wanted to know the specifics for the impact. <br /> Chair Bedford asked for an explanation of ISO ratings. <br /> Tony Blake, President of the Board of Directors of the White Cross Volunteer Fire <br /> Department said that this Board has supported the personnel needed. He said over four years, <br /> their expenses are up 50% over that timeframe. He said they need the increase in revenue. <br /> Jeff Cabe, Fire Chief of Orange Rural Fire, said that homeowners insurance has a rating <br /> based on personal protection classification. He said that is an evaluation of the fire protection that <br /> the property gets, the closeness to fire station, training, how many firefighers respond, the <br /> equipment on the trucks, response time, and numbers of fire fighters that show up. He said in <br /> Orange County they have ratings of 3, 4s, and 5s and the highest you can get is a 1. He said that <br /> Orange County does not have the tax base to get to the 1 rating. He said the higher the rating, <br /> the higher the cost of insurance. He said you must be within five miles of a fire station to get the <br /> best rating. He said that the ISO rating considers a lot of things, and it directly relates to property <br /> insurance premiums for real estate. <br /> Chair Bedford thanked the fire chiefs and departments for their comments. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton said asked for more information on the salary and wage increases. <br /> Philip Nasseri said they are based on certifications and time and grade. He said they are <br /> now at $14 - $17 an hour and are looking to increase to $18 - $22. He said they are in a wage <br /> war in the Triangle area. He said the goal is to provide a regional wage. He said that $17 - $18 <br /> is not at the top market rate of the area. <br /> Jeff Cabe said Orange Rural is a full-time paid staff department. He said they are <br /> considered a private corporation and must pay general industry wage standards. He said their <br /> starting salary is $35,000 a year and competitors are anywhere from $45,000-$50,000 with far <br /> less certifications and way more people. He said the last ISO evaluation they received he was <br /> told they need 20 per day. He said if they do not get the tax increase, the positions will not be <br /> filled, there will be no raises, and there will be impacts. He said they cannot afford to hire additional <br /> personnel. <br /> Commissioner Carter said she attended the Cardiac Survivor reunion and many of the <br /> folks in the room were in attendance too. She thanked them all for what they do to take care of <br /> everyone in their highest moments of need. <br />