CSFD joins elite company with Class 1 ISO rating
By Carter Hall, CSFD Public Information Officer
Everyone likes to be No. 1, especially in a sports-crazed town such as College Station. But in some cases, being No. 1 means much more than bragging rights with your rivals.
Take College Station’s new Class 1 ISO fire rating, which is effective Monday.
The Insurance Service Office (ISO) classifies communities on a scale of 1 to 10. Those that earn the Class 1 demonstrate the best systems for water distribution, fire department equipment, firefighting personnel, and dispatch facilities.
The College Station Fire Department is one of only seven in Texas to have both a Class 1 ISO rating and international accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Even more impressive is that fewer than one percent of the 47,500 fire protection areas in the United States are ISO Class 1.
The new rating also means you may pay less to insure your home or business. Most U.S. property insurers use ISO’s Public Protection Classification program to calculate premiums, which are generally lower in communities with a high rating. Contact your insurer to see if the change might affect your premiums.
College Station Fire Chief Jonathan McMahan recognizes the importance of reaching this milestone. “Becoming an ISO Class 1 community was one of my top strategic initiatives when I became the fire chief in early 2017,” he said. “Having this designation demonstrates the city’s ongoing commitment to providing excellent fire protection for our residents.”
Chief McMahan also recognizes Water Services’ David Coleman, Gary Mechler, and Stephen Maldonado, Jr., along with Robert Radtke of Public Safety Communications, — and their teams — for their hard work in achieving the improved rating. The achievement ties together the credibility of our fire, water, and communication departments and makes College Station an even more attractive community for businesses and families.
Key elements considered by ISO were:
- Response capability, which consists of the staffing of fire service personnel on engine and ladder companies.
- Fire station distribution, including location and coverage area.
- Adequate and appropriate apparatus and equipment.
- Fire department training.
- Fire department organizational structure.
ISO then evaluated the city’s water supply and distribution system, public safety communications, and fire prevention codes and enforcement.
Representatives from the Insurance Services Office and the Texas Fire Marshal’s Office will officially present College Station with its Class 1 ISO rating at Thursday’s city council meeting.
About the Blogger
Carter Hall has been a College Station firefighter since 2011. He earned a degree in leadership development from Texas A&M in 2005.
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Recipe for a successful Thanksgiving? Don’t set your house on fire
By Carter Hall, CSFD Firefighter
Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude, family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. No surprise: All of us with the College Station Fire Department are thankful when everyone practices holiday safety in the kitchen, since Thanksgiving is the leading day for home-cooking fires.
In fact, the United States averages 1,800 cooking fires every Thanksgiving Day. That’s three times the number of fires occurring on any other day of the year, which is why these simple safety tips are so important:
- Never leave unattended food on the stove or in the oven.
- Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing and long sleeves while cooking because those can easily catch fire.
- Keep children at least three feet away from the cooking area; watch them closely if they insist on being mini-chefs.
- Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over toys, shoes or other objects.
- Keep flammable items, like potholders and paper or plastic bags, away from the stove and oven.
- Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove to prevent accidental knock-overs.
- Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books are great options.
- Involve kids in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be followed outside the kitchen.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of the home, including inside and outside bedrooms.
Also, keep safety in mind when using a turkey fryer because a fire can get out of hand in less than a minute.
If fried turkey is your Thanksgiving tradition, only use a fryer outside and safely away from your home – not inside your garage and not on your porch. Don’t overfill the oil in your turkey fryer, and always keep an eye on the bird when it’s cooking in the oil.
From all the dedicated men and women at College Station Fire Department who work to protect lives and property – especially on Thanksgiving Day – we hope your hearts and stomachs are full, and your holiday is safe.
Carter Hall has been a firefighter with the College Station Fire Department since 2011.
If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!
CSFD saves two dogs in apartment fire
Firefighter Paramedics Tara Hodges and Kyle Cowden tend to one of the injured dogs as Driver Brad Ballard watches.
College Station firefighters responding to a kitchen fire Thursday night at The Gables apartments revived two dogs that were not breathing.
Firefighters were dispatched to the apartment at 401 University Oaks at 7:52 p.m. After quickly extinguishing a fire on the kitchen stove, they searched the residence and found the unconscious dogs and a kitten.
EMS personnel were able to revive both dogs, who were taken to the Texas A&M Vet School for additional treatment. Both are expected to recover, but the kitten did not survive.
— College Station Fire Department
Five things to watch at Thursday’s city council meetings
By Colin Killian, Public Communications Manager
The College Station City Council gathers Thursday at city hall for its workshop (about 5:30 p.m.) and regular (7 p.m.) meetings. Here are five items to watch:
- Security Camera Surveillance: In the workshop, the council will discuss stronger regulations for security cameras at businesses such as convenience stores.
- Creek Meadows Lift Station: The council will consider an agreement to increase the capacity of the Creek Meadows sewage lift station to serve the recently annexed Wellborn area.
- Automatic CPR Devices: The council will consider the purchase of automatic CPR devices for the city’s EMS units to provide better patient care.
- Trash Valet & Recycling Agreement: The council will consider the first of two readings of a franchise agreement that would allow Brazos Valley Recycling to collect recyclables from commercial businesses and multi-family locations.
- Parks & Recreation User Fees: The council will consider new user fees for Parks & Recreation facilities and programs, including increases for facility rentals, cemetery spaces, and some activities.
3 ways Citizens Fire Academy will make a better you in 2016
By Christina Seidel, CSFD Public Education Officer
Let me suggest to you that being part of the College Station Citizens Fire Academy will fulfill one or more of your New Year’s resolutions.
Okay, stay with me…
Most of us have lists of resolutions that include things like living a healthier lifestyle, saving more and spending less, and simply enjoying life to the fullest — right? Our free, 12-week Citizens Fire Academy is just the thing!
Live a healthier lifestyle! (more…)
5 tips to help you safely celebrate our independence
By Christina Seidel, CSFD Public Education Officer
When Francis Scott Key wrote about “the bombs bursting in air” he probably didn’t foresee anyone getting hurt in future celebrations of our nation’s independence.
Still, what would a good, old-fashioned Independence Day celebration be without fireworks?
Since the College Station Fire Department wants safety to be everyone’s priority, here are five tips to help you celebrate safely through the dawn’s early light.
