
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 22, 1994                   TAG: 9401220116
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

RADFORD FIREFIGHTING STACKS UP WITH OTHER LOCAL CREWS

The city's fire department stacks up favorably with those of surrounding communities in its firefighting capacity, according to a report City Council will discuss Monday night.

The report, part of a recent ongoing examination of Radford's fire equipment status, was developed by Assistant City Manager Bob Lloyd. It states that Radford's Insurance Services Office - or ISO - fire-suppression classification is 6 on a scale of 10 to one, where one is the highest classification.

Pulaski's ISO class is 5, Christiansburg's 7, and Blacksburg's 6, the report notes.

Lloyd suggests in his report that improving the city's fire protection capabilities - in part by having three fire pumpers available - would lower insurance costs for homeowners and businesses.

The city expects to take delivery of a new $232,000 pumper next month. Monday's debate is expected to focus on what to do with two other 1970s-vintage pumpers.

An earlier report by Lloyd has estimated the cost of refurbishing each vehicle at around $60,000, not including engine or water tank replacement. In both reports, Lloyd suggests that council consider using components from each old truck to construct a replacement truck - an approach referred to as a "glider kit."

City Councilman David Worrell - a veteran volunteer firefighter who's been outspoken on fire department issues - said the city needs to replace one of the two older vehicles within the next few months and the other within the next few years.

Fire Chief Martin "Jigger" Roberts has said he thinks the city's firefighters still can do their jobs, despite the aging gear.

Lloyd's report notes that while the number of fire pumpers and fire stations have each been reduced by one since 1975, the city's area has almost doubled and the number of dwellings has gone from 4,373 to 6,619.

A fire department activity report for 1993 notes that fire and rescue personnel responded to 369 calls. Just over 26 percent involved fires.

City Council will meet at Monday at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers for its regular meeting.

by CNB