Central Fire District Asks for Your Support November 2

Submitted by Captain Glover

Central Fire Protection District #4 Tax Service Fee Renewal

    On Tuesday November 2, 2010 the Central Fire Protection District #4 (Central Fire District) is asking for your continued support by renewing a millage and service fee that funds approximately 35% of their normal operating budget.  In 1991, the voters first approved a $32 service fee that has enabled the Central Fire District to better provide professional services to the Central Community.  In 2003 voters approved a 5 mil property tax to bring Central salaries in line the other East Baton Rouge Parish Fire Departments, hire additional firefighters and build two new fire stations. This service fee and millage enables the Central Fire District to provide protection of life and property from the devastation of fire and other emergencies.

    The Central Fire District was established in 1972, and was given the responsibility of providing fire protection to the northeastern part of East Baton Rouge Parish.  The Central Fire District maintains 5 stations in an area that encompasses over 60 square miles, protecting approximately 35,000 people, 10,000 residential homes, 800 businesses, and over one and a half billion dollars worth of property.

    Starting out as strictly volunteer in 1972, now the department is a combination paid/volunteer fire department with 28 full time employees, 10 volunteer firefighters and 10 contract employees who man all five Central Fire stations 24 hours a day.

    The Central Fire District is governed by a five member Board of Commissioners.  Members of the Board of Commissioners are appointed by the East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council and The City of Central Council.  This Board sets policies for the department, approves and oversees the department’s operating budget.  The Board meets monthly, and the meetings are open to the public.

    Having one of the lowest property tax millages and per capita cost of any other fire district in East Baton Rouge Parish, The Central Fire District operates from 15 mils of property tax and a $32 service fee.

    The Central Fire District currently has a Class 3 Insurance Rating, saving millions of dollars per year to residents through reduced insurance premiums. An average home valued at $175,000 saves over $1,000 a year. The Central Fire District is currently working toward lowering that rating to a Class 2.  A Class 2 rating will provide additional lowering of insurance premium rates that will allow more savings for the citizens in the Central Fire District.

    The many services provided by the Central Fire District are as follows:

Fire Suppression, First Responder and EMT Pre-Hospital Care, Vehicle Extrication, Fire Safety Education, Fire Prevention Inspections, Dive Rescue and Recovery, USAR (urban search and rescue), Fire Origin and Cause Determination, Grass and Brush Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials and Homeland Security.

    The Central Fire District responded to over 2000 emergencies in the year 2009 and will exceed 2300 this year. With the continued growth in the District emergency responses are steadily increasing.  The Central Fire District is constantly upgrading its capabilities and providing new and innovative ways to give the best possible protection for citizens in the District.

   This tax and service fee renewal provides 35% of the Central Fire District’s normal operating budget, and without the continued funding, will not be able to provide the protection that you deserve and continue to provide the insurance savings you have come to expect.

   The Central Fire District again thanks you for your continued support. Additional information about the Fire District can be found on our website at www.centralfd.org or by calling 261-2000.

    Please support the Central Fire Protection District #4 on Tuesday November 2.  Again, this is renewal and not a new tax.