You Make the Call

Challenges ranging from tightening budgets, rising call volumes, and personnel and equipment shortages require us to do more with less.

  1. What strategic and/or tactical changes have you made when faced with reduced manpower (volunteer or career)?
  2. What tactical changes are necessary when operating at a residential fire with lightweight construction, floor, and roof?
  3. Have you used or considered a transitional fire attack?

Results from Last Issue

In our last issue, you watched the wildfire video pictured here, and we asked you some questions. Here’s a summary of responses:

  1. What programs do you use to promote community solutions to prevent or reduce the impact of wildland-urban interface fires?
    • We use a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
    • We use a mapping program to develop a base map of the community and adjacent landscapes of interest.
    • We determine fuel hazards using existing computer programs.
    • We plan to develop a community risk reduction program.
    • We use the Ready, Set, Go! Program.
  2. What proactive steps can you take to become a Fire Adapted Community?
    • Use the Ready, Set, Go! Program.
    • Have strong codes and ordinances.
    • Develop cooperative fire agreements.
    • Conduct fire department training.
    • Carry out prevention education.
  3. How important is it to match the type of fire to the tactical plan? All who responded said it was very important because it:
    • determines how to attack the fire (for example, direct, parallel, and so forth)
    • helps establish future control action
    • determines the type of control line
    • clarifies organization and command structure

ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule

Our Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) is free to chiefs and other fire officials. It's a manual containing the criteria Verisk uses in reviewing the fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of individual communities or fire protection areas. To recieve a copy of the FSRS, contact our National Processing Center at 1-800-444-4554 and select Option 2.

H2O and Verisk

Water supply and distribution systems are important factors in determining a community’s ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC®). We provide complimentary educational training and seminars to water providers and associations throughout the country. Contact Hugh Gibson, national water resources manager, at hugh.gibson@verisk.com for more information.

Other Verisk websites