Per Volunteer Fire Department per year
FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPENSES
The National Fire Protection Association, the Mississippi Rating Bureau and
EVFD Strategic Budgeting
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) was established in 1896 to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
NFPA is the world’s leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
Application of NFPA Standards to Volunteer Fire Departments
In most cases, compliance with NFPA standards is voluntary. However, in some cases Federal or state OSHA agencies have incorporated wording from NFPA standards into regulations. In these cases, the compliance with the standards is mandatory. Regardless of whether compliance with an NFPA standard is voluntary or mandatory, fire and rescue departments must consider the impact of “voluntary” standards on private litigation.
In some states, a department may be liable for the negligent performance of their duties. Even in states that protect rescue workers under an immunity statute, most state laws do not protect fire or rescue departments for grossly negligent acts. Essentially, negligence involves the violation of a standard of care that results in injury or loss to some other individual or organization.
In establishing the standard of care for rescue operations, the courts will frequently look to the “voluntary” standards issued by NFPA and other organizations. Although “voluntary” in name, these standards can become, in effect, the legally enforceable standard of care for our fire department. Accordingly, Eudora Fire Department pays close attention to applicable standards.
The Mississippi Rating Bureau
MSRB is a non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors or Executive Committee comprised of nine members elected from Member Companies. The management of the Bureau is responsible to the Executive Committee.
Each insurance company licensed to write Fire and Allied Insurance in the state is required to be a member of the Bureau. There are approximately 639 Member Companies. The Bureau is supported through an annual assessment of its Member Companies Based on the premiums written in the state. No local, State or Federal Funds are used for the operation of the Bureau.
In the area of Public Fire Protection, the Mississippi Rating Bureau:
• On-site survey of Municipalities and Fire Districts to establish or improve Public Protection classifications as a basis for determining fire insurance rates (Fire Classes)
• Provide improvement statements to Municipalities and Fire Districts for improved public fire protection or possible a better public fire protection classification
• Holding and attending public and municipal meetings pertaining to public fire protection
• Assist and witness tests of new Municipal and Fire District fire trucks
• Advise Municipalities, Fire Districts and Engineers concerning water supplies and fire hydrant distribution
• Administer and conduct the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for Municipalities, Counties and other jurisdictions in Mississippi.
What does this have to do with strategic budgeting?
Everything
NFPA Standards not only affect how we operate as a fire department, but also determines the equipment standard for scheduled testing criteria, maintenance and repair, and replacement. MS Rating Bureau advises how we operate concerning water supply and response. This boldly affects how we budget the spending of tax revenue, insurance rebate funds, and fire dues and donations.