WALHALLA — The hyperbole of Tuesday's night's Oconee County fire service discussion aside, a preliminary survey report of that service actually contained several recommendations bound to generate even more conversation in the future.

J.C. Robertson of Mizelle, Hodges and Associates consulting told council members that Oconee County has made progress toward improving its countywide fire system, but has more to do before a new insurance rating study should be undertaken.

According to Emergency Services Commission Chairman Jay Hetherington, much of that work will be contingent on greater cooperation and communication between the county and the city of Seneca. That's why Hetherington called out both sides at Tuesday's meeting, telling them "… it's time for everybody to clear the air and get on with the public's business."

The goal of the survey, in which Seneca refused to participate, was to determine weaknesses in the current fire service so that they can be strengthened before asking the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to do a countywide study. That study would, hopefully, lead to lower ISO ratings and, thus, lower insurance rates for homeowners.

Robertson's report is going to be revised, based on information provided by area fire chiefs and from this week's County Council meeting. Hetherington hopes the final report is more "focused."

The rambling report, copies of which were provided to council members, emergency services commission members and County Administrator Dale Surrett, sings the praises of county volunteers, speaks highly of the county's effort to enhance firefighter safety and said good progress was made over 11 months to establish a county fire response team.

However, Robertson and his associates cite several areas where improvement is needed, including enhanced training and improved training records, the need to clarify the leadership roles of the fire service and provide a means for fire chiefs to have input, and re-establishment of the county fire marshal position that was eliminated in the last budget cycle.

Furthermore, the Greenwood-based consulting firm went against the grain of a county plan to locate the county fire department in a new Westminster firehouse. The consultants recommend locating the station in the center of the Westminster-Walhalla-Seneca triangle. It suggests that the municipal departments be used as rapid intervention teams with the county force filling in behind them.

Robertson acknowledged that many chiefs said they didn't feel Seneca would go along with that plan. Hetherington also expressed concern that such a "sunburst" arrangement would not be the best use of the county's career firefighters.

Mizelle, Hodges also recommended the establishment of five sub-stations at Walker Mountain, Grassy Mountain, Dr. Johns Road, Cliffs Falls and Bad Creek. They said new firehouses are needed in Fair Play and Westminster.

The report also includes a number of lesser recommendations, which Hetherington said all have merit and would all contribute in "marginal" ways to obtaining lower ISO ratings. Those include the establishment of a "Fire Corps" comprised of senior citizens and physically handicapped people who could handle record-keeping and related duties, and the use of trained Clemson students as "sleepers" in firehouses, with those departments getting credit for those hours.

"Much of what is said in the report, has been said (locally)," Hetherington said.

The commission chairman believes that much of what the county does in the future must be done against the backdrop of increased forest fire potential because of population growth, the existence of the Duke nuclear plant within the county and with greater potential for large storms and flooding given climate change.

He also reiterated that "the county can't proceed not knowing whether Seneca will bail every two years."

At best, the commission chairman does not foresee an ISO study being sought before 2010 and, perhaps, 2011.

"As (County Administrator Dale) Surrett said Tuesday, you have to have at least three years of good records," Hetherington said.