Officials of Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Inc.(DBVFD) announced that effective Dec. 1 it will be rated ISO 2 by the Insurance Service Organization.
DBVFD is one of 29 fire departments in Tennessee with a rating of ISO 2 or higher. Dallas Bay is the only volunteer fire department in the state of Tennessee with an ISO 2 rating.
The Insurance Service Organization determines the ISO 2 rating based on water supply, dispatch/communication services, and the organizations staffing, training, equipment, and DBVFD personnel. Because of this lowered ISO rating, area residents and businesses receive a discounted rate on premises insurance, it was noted.
DBVFD originally began servicing the communities of Hixson, Middle Valley, Lakesite, Dallas Bay and Falling Water in May 1975. The current service area includes some 35,000 residents along with 9,700 homes and businesses in a 43-square-mile area.
DBVFD responds on an ‘all call’ philosophy as dispatched by Hamilton County 911. DBVFD, in contractual agreement with Hamilton County Emergency Services. It provides emergency medical service in response to the Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department area of approximately six square miles.
It is projected that DBVFD will respond to approximately 2,000 total calls in 2017.
DBVFD partnered with several groups in 2017 in order to provide better protection. FEMA has provided $130,000 in grant funds providing Personal Protective Equipment and LDH fire hose. The city of Lakesite provided $25,000 in funds for equipment needs of the department. Fire House Sub Foundation provided $4,460 to the Department along with Walmart providing $3,000 in grant funds for the purchase of three advanced AED’s which allows the department the opportunity to advance to Advanced Life Saving status. The IronMan Foundation provided $5,800 to the department to assist in the purchase of an additional Swift Water Rescue boat.
In cooperation with Erlanger Health System, the department received a grant of $500 from Bassett Family Dentistry for community CPR education. In addition to these partnerships, the department is provided $67,877 along with the use of two fire stations by Hamilton County government.
Operating as a 501(c)3 corporation, the mission of DBVFD is to protect lives, property and the environment by providing a high quality of service that is prompt, skillful, caring and resourceful. The Department operates under the control and guidance of a nine-person board of directors that includes community citizens and professionals in the industry.
A Summary Accountability Report is available by contacting Mitch McClure, chairman, at 423 667-0353 or at dallasbayvfd@gmail.com.