Homeowners in the Bowman and Four Holes areas can expect to see lower fire insurance premiums within six months.

Orangeburg County Fire District officials reported Tuesday that both the Bowman and Four Holes fire departments have seen their Insurance Service Office ratings fall from class 9 to class 5 following station inspections earlier this year.

Orangeburg County Fire System Coordinator Gene Ball said this drop in ISO ratings could mean a potential average insurance drop of $1,288 to $568 for a 5- to 8-year-old, standard wood-frame home.

"That is a lot of money difference," Ball said. "When you see basically a rural-type department that can come together to be better than a class 6 that is exceptional."

In particular, Ball credited Bowman's Sue Davis and Four Holes Fire Chief Danny Dantzler as epitomizing the effort among fire departments district-wide to create a positive atmosphere for homeowners.

The drop in ratings follows a number of such insurance improvements witnessed by the county this year alone, said Ball.

Areas such as Cordova, and Cow Castle, excluding the rating decrease experienced in Eutawville in 2002, have totaled an estimated insurance savings of $730,000.

With inspections and rating decreases expected for Rowesville, Branchville, the Edisto-Cope area and Jamison in the fall, expectations are to see savings increase to approximately $2 million. Many other departments are also in line for ISO improvements in the future as well, said Ball.

In other business:

* Commissioners approved the purchase of a $27,000, 1983 fire truck for use in the Jamison area. The town's prior truck was totaled in a recent accident.

* As a guest at the meeting, Orangeburg County Councilman Johnny Ravenell lauded the commission's work for the county's fire protection needs and its diligence in lowering fire rating insurance premiums.

* "Slim pickings" is the way Ball described the fire district's search for property in the Norway area. "We are still pursuing property," Ball said. "Leads are not looking good."

* Commissioners received a report that 15 of the county's 23 fire departments have already undergone training for the implementation of the National Fire Incidence Reporting System computer software. Of these 15, three departments have officially tabulated fire logs into the system, while two have already submitted logs to the county and state to be passed on to the federal level.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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