From the moment they acknowledged that modernizing Oconee County's fire system would cost more money, county officials have said one goal of that modernization would be to secure better insurance ratings, which should convert into lower insurance premiums for homeowners.

This week, Jay Hetherington, chairman of the county's Emergency Services Commission said Insurance Services Organization (ISO) inspections will take place in the "near future."

Hetherington said a Georgia firm recently completed field assessments of strengths, weaknesses and easiest-to-fix concerns before the county seeks an ISO inspection. He said the firm's written report will enable the county and local departments to make adjustments to ensure that, when ISO inspections do take place, the best outcome is obtained.

Hetherington said seeking new ISO ratings is risky business because there is always the possibility ratings will go up, not down.

An ISO inspection of fire districts and departments will assess capabilities and assign a fire protection rating to each area that will impact homeowner and business insurance costs for the next decade or more.

"Most districts should retain their current ratings," the veteran volunteer firefighter said. "The County and all fire departments are working to ensure that no area in Oconee receives a rating worse than its current status."

Today, most Oconee ratings near population centers range from 4 to 7, while outlying areas are 7 to 9 because of distances to water and stations. Seneca is an ISO 4, but officials hope for an ISO 3 rating based on water system improvements, new apparatus, more career and volunteer personnel and better training.

According to Hetherington, the lack of a northside station may limit the city's chances for a better rating. Areas served by Seneca outside the city range from 5 to 9, depending on location and water supply. Walhalla, Westminster, Fair Play, Friendship, West Union and Keowee District with hydrants, and in some cases career firefighters, fare better locally with ISO ratings of 5 to 7, and adjacent rural areas at 7 to 9.

"Expanded waterlines and hydrants along with dry hydrants on the lakes work in our favor across much of the county," Hetherington said,

“but we must demonstrate to inspectors the capacity for continuous water supply in rural areas using tanker/engine/portable tank relays to maintain water flow."

Hetherington said a growing population, shifts in population and more stringent requirements mean every department must work harder to maintain ISO standards or risk losing a current rating.

As one member of the five-member commission charged with overseeing all emergency services operations, Hetherington said an ISO inspection has been a high priority because so much future planning depends on its outcomes.

"Basically, you're going to have insurance companies telling you, 'Here's where you are, and here's where you have to go.' We have focused our first efforts on crucial ISO requirements countywide to prioritize actions, plug shortfalls and upgrade protective equipment critical to volunteers’ safety."

Toward that end, he said new turnout gear continues to be delivered to local fire departments. Additionally, the commission is close to deciding on the vendor for thousands of dollars worth of new air packs for the county's 17 departments.

"That should be done early next year," he said.

However, he said the most critical need likely to be identified in the recent survey is to supplement response capabilities in rural areas, to shore up mutual aid and to relocate some equipment to achieve the ISO five-mile station-to-scene standard wherever possible.

Another priority is to develop contingency actions to cover any area where current response and fire protection may be threatened.

Hetherington said Oconee County could double in population, industry and commerce over the next 20 years. He said ISO findings, along with water and sewer authority plans, Oconee Alliance visions, planning and building codes and residential and industrial/commercial development will drive fire protection planning.

"A coherent plan for expansion of existing stations, building new stations, and logical adjustments to response areas are concerns," he said. "What new and special equipment must be procured to meet the needs of established areas and new development is another priority.

"We must get out in front of development before we are overrun by demands and costs. We must buy the right stuff at the right time and locate it and manpower wisely to get the most value for our tax buck," he added.

He predicted that Oconee’s fire and rescue services would remain volunteer-based for years to come.

"They are dedicated, better trained and put in huge numbers of hours that save taxpayers tremendously," he said. "We depend on them daily and owe them support."

He added, however, that any transition to a more coordinated county system is never easy anywhere, and "Oconee is no exception."

"Sometimes it gets downright ugly," he said. "Everybody has their own version of what is best. Despite growing pains and grousing, some deserved, some self-serving, progress is ongoing. Less noise, more listening and willingness to compromise by all sides is necessary to get the best balance over time."