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Harmony Fire Department ratings improvements help residents
Donna Swicegood photo
The Harmony Fire Department moved into a new building last fall and has a new truck to answer calls. The truck recently went into service.
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Published: July 9, 2009
In less than a year, the Harmony Volunteer Fire Department accomplished three long-awaited goals.
First, the department, which was formed in 1938, lowered its N.C. Department of Insurance rating
from a 9/6 to a 6. Previously, those homeowners who lived within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant got the lower rating on their homeowner's insurance.
Now, anyone who lives within five miles of the department's two stations qualifies for the lower rating.
And just a couple of months ago, the department began using a shiny new Pierce fire engine.
The biggest and most expensive change happened nearly a year ago and was the culmination of more than 15 years of planning.
The Harmony VFD, the second oldest volunteer fire department in the county, opened the doors to its new fire station on U.S. 21.
Less than a mile away from the old station on East Memorial Highway, the new building is light years ahead of the facility the department had called home since 1963, said Chief Trent Cranfill.
"The biggest difference is more space," Cranfill said. "It's capable of housing 10 trucks, sleeps six and can sleep up to 25 if need be."
Cranfill said planning for a new station began more than 15 years ago when space limitations in the old building became increasingly problematic.
There was no room to expand the building, so the decision was made to look for property nearby and build a new structure, Cranfill said.
A large plot of land on U.S. Highway 21 was eventually purchased and after a few more years of planning and securing the financing, construction began nearly two years ago.
The department moved into the new 10,000 square foot facility at a cost of $1.2 million, which is being financed, in September.
The new facility includes a full-service kitchen, a training room that will accommodate 60 people, a day room and offices for the chief and other officers.
It is also wired for the latest technology and includes a fitness room.
Cranfill said the department is finishing landscaping, and hopes to have everything in place in time for an open house in September.
Equipment officer Dan Smith said the department is planning a celebration for Sept. 19. Events will kick off at 10 a.m. and end sometime after dark.
A flag ceremony will be conducted at noon, followed by a mock car crash at 2 p.m., in which department members will work with the North Iredell Rescue Squad.
There will be a fire extinguisher demonstration at 4 p.m. and a womanless beauty pageant at 5 p.m.
Department members will conduct tours of the new station all day, and there will be activities for children.
The open house will conclude around dark when the department will conduct a controlled burn of a car.
They will also be showcasing that new $405,000 fire truck.
Cranfill said he hopes the community will take the opportunity to visit since the citizens are the reason the members of the fire department volunteer their time.
"We're working to better serve our community," he said.
Deputy County Manager Tracy Jackson said the new department, as well as the work Harmony and other departments put into lower their ratings, is proof of their commitment to service.
"It is a well-known fact that the fire department saves lives and property," he said. But the hours of paperwork and training and getting the right equipment in place will pay off for homeowners and businesses with lower insurance ratings.
Fire departments are periodically reviewed and rated to determine just how capable the departments are in terms of responding to and putting out fires, Jackson said.
The Department of Insurance conducts these ratings, and departments receive a rating of 1 to 10 with 1 considered excellent.
"Most people don't realize that when their fire department improves its insurance rating there is a good chance it will mean money in their pocket," said Iredell County Fire Marshal Lloyd Ramsey.
He advises homeowners to check with their insurance carrier and verify if they are eligible for a lower premium.
Jackson said part of the reason that Harmony and other departments were able to improve ratings is because the Iredell County Board of Commissioners approved funding in 2008 to stimulate fire departments into making the necessary improvements.
"The goal over the next three years is to have every volunteer department serving Iredell County rated at a six or better," he said. "This can mean a substantial savings to property owners in the form of reduced premiums, but people won't know until they pick up the phone and call their insurance agent."
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