After receiving the positive results of its latest Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, the goal of the Bamberg Fire Department is to lower its rating even more. “The good thing I want to tell ya’ll, we had an ISO rating several months ago and got the results back. We had a rating of 4 which means we didn’t lose anything,” Fire Chief Timmie Taylor told Bamberg City Council members at their October 11, meeting.

Fire departments ISO ratings, which range from 1-10 are important because the lower a communities Public Protection Classification (PPC), the lower the homeowner insurance premiums are for the residents near that department.

Taylor said once the department gets all the results back and see all the things that it is “feasible for the department to do” to improve , “we’re going to be working on going to an ISO of 3.” Taylor noted that in talking with insurance companies he was informed that there was “no difference” between a rating of 3 and 4. He said the ratings go in increments of two.

The BFD chief said that since the department is “this close” to lowering the rate even more, they would like the Insurance Service Office to come back again next year. Taylor concluded by thanking Fire Commissioner Teresa Hannibal and the members of Bamberg City Council for their support of the fire department.

“I appreciate ya’ll helping out with the fire department for the things we need to support us,” Taylor said.

Also during the meeting:

• Chief Taylor reported for the month of September the Bamberg Fire Department responded to 2 structure fires, 2 vehicle, 2 grass fires, 7 alarms, 1 rescue, 4 training meetings, 1 lifting assistance and conducted 1 fire prevention activity at Richard Carroll Primary School.

• Mayor McCollum said that the city is waiting to hear from Harry Crissy on the Downtown Revitalization Plan. “We’re still holding our interest for that, we haven’t given up and we haven’t died,” the mayor said.

• In an update on the FEMA application to upgrade the Civic Center to be used as a staging area the mayor said a teleconference is scheduled for 10:00 am on Tuesday with FEMA and the other parties involved. “We have lots of questions, we will see if we get the funds we requested,” Mayor McCollum said.

• Council members agreed to have a Veterans Day Program again this year which was noted “bring the county together” on November 11, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bamberg Civic Center.

• Because Halloween falls on a Sunday this year council members agreed to hold the observance on Saturday, October 30th between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for children ages 8-12 only.

• Council members approved a Resolution (2010-03) recognizing the life and service of the late Rev. Betty Milhouse.

• Police Chief George Morris announced the appointment of SRO (School Resource Officer) Corey Bamberg to Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School. “It’s going to be a good association,” Chief Morris said.

• Council members approved the closure of the road between Cricket Drive and Brooks Drive on Saturday, October 30 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for a Halloween activity.

• Bamberg City Council members were appointed to the following commissions for the City of Bamberg: Public Buildings, Parks and Franchises: Nancy Foster Chair, Police: Bo Griffin Chairman; Fire Department & Rescue: Teresa Hannibal Chair; Sanitation & Chamber of Commerce: Janeth Walker Chair; License: Cynthia Summers Chair.