Povlin urges residents to attend R/Metro ‘conversation’ Feb. 12
Louise Povlin, Town of Farragut Alderman representing Ward I (North), asks all concerned Farragut citizens to attend “A Community Conversation about Rural/Metro Fire Department,” hosted by the Town.
It starts at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12, in the Community Room at Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive.
“The community conversation will be regarding Rural/Metro and the fire protection and first responder services it provides to our Town,” Povin stated in an e-mail. “Chief Jerry Harnish from Rural/Metro will be our guest.”
Below is information Povlin has acquired concerning Rural/Metro Fire Department:
“Rural/Metro has served the Knox County area since 1977, including the area that is now the Town of Farragut, which incorporated in 1980. Rural Metro provides fire protection services, primarily under a subscription-based model, to individual homeowners and commercial property owners in the Town of Farragut.
“Residential rates are based on the total square footage of the residential unit including all unheated space. Also, Rural/Metro provides fire prevention and safety education, as well as safety inspections for the Town.
“Rural/Metro has two stations in the Town of Farragut [Station No. 41 at 160 N. Campbell Station Road and Station No. 44 at 201 N. Watt Road] and three stations just outside the Town limits: Station No. 42 at 1712 Choto Markets Way; Station No. 10 at 9746 Parkside Drive and Station No. 16 at 10208 Bluegrass Road.
“When a fire big enough to warrant a R/M response happens, these stations are able to work seamlessly with each other to provide additional support when needed due to their proximity and shared oversight.
“Since 1992, the Town has had a formalized agreement with R/M, which allows the Town to establish and regulate rates and service levels. Rural/Metro is our first responder and at least one paramedic EMT is required to be stationed on each engine company.
“All calls for service in the Town should not exceed 6 minutes 20 seconds from the time the call is received to arrival on scene — at least 90 percent of the time.
“Rural/Metro has earned an Insurance Service Office rating of 3 [1 being the best while a class 9 indicates the minimum recognized standard of fire protection].
“An ISO rating of 3 indicates a high level of service, including superior training and a superior ability to respond to fire and emergency events. Less than 10 percent of communities in Tennessee achieve an ISO rating of 3 or less.
“The Town requires Rural/Metro to maintain at least an ISO rating of 4. Finally, based on statistics from the State of Tennessee, Farragut’s fire loss valuation [the difference in the value of a property before and after a fire] is considerably lower than that of similarly serviced areas — and Farragut’s fire fatalities are below the average.
“These statistics are due to education, code enforcement and response capabilities.
“Please plan on attending this community conversation to learn more about one of the vital services provided to the Town of Farragut.”
Rural/Metro Fire can be reached through its Member Services Division at 865-560-0239. Fire Operations Bureau is located at 160 N. Campbell Station Road in Farragut on the second floor.
Ambulance and emergency medical services are provided in Farragut, Knox County and Knoxville by AMR Ambulance Services.
Its office is located at 10140 Gallows Point, and can be reached by phone at 865-573-5779.
For emergencies, dial 911.
