The Badin Volunteer Fire Department recently improved its fire suppression rating, lowering its score for both rural area and town limits.

“We were ecstatic,” said Fire Chief Terry Eudy, when he received word from State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. The actual inspection was performed last October after the BVFD reached out to the Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Due to the rating being lowered, which will take place April 1, homeowners in the district should see their homeowners insurance drop, Eudy said.

The department scored a 5 for both rural and town, a better score than a few years ago, when rural received a 9 and the town received a 6.

The North Carolina Response Rating System ranges from one (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state), with many rural departments falling into the 9S category, according to a press release sent out by the OSFM.

The inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

“Fire district ratings are like golf scores, the lower the better and the scores Badin Fire Department is posting are winning numbers,” Town Manager Jay Almond said in an emailed statement to The Stanly News and Press.

Eudy said if homeowners don’t see a change in their insurance after April 1, they should contact their insurance companies.