Union Volunteer Fire Department has served its community of Rowan County since 1956. The members and its directors, along with the residential homeowners and commercial businesses of Union fire district have plenty to celebrate this year.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshall Wayne Goodwin has announced that Union Fire District has been inspected and received a better rating.

The current department rating of ISO Class 7 has improved to ISO Class 5 effective Oct. 1. The lower rating number is better and shows the improvements within the fire department regarding training, operations and equipment. One contributor to this improved rating was the purchase of a new 3,000 gallon tanker in 2015.

The inspection, conducted by officials with the Department of Insurance of State Fire Marshal, is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System. Among other things, the inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

“I’d like to congratulate Chief Cauble for the department’s performance and for the hard work of all the department members,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “The citizens in these fire districts should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”

Union VFD is proud to provide this service as one of the few remaining all volunteer departments supported by the lowest tax rate in the county. The department serves approximately 2,000 residential homes and a population of approximately 4,400 in northeastern Rowan County.

Typically, better State ISO ratings equate to lower insurance premiums. Homeowners and commercial businesses within the Union Fire District should contact their insurance companies to ensure any possible credits are applied to their insurance.