Bryson City Fire Department has earned an improved Public Protection Classification rating from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, a change expected to significantly reduce homeowners’ insurance premiums for many local residents.
The department received a Class 4 rating this month, which applies to properties located within five miles of the fire station, according to BCFD Chief Charles Bryson.
“Every rated fire department in North Carolina goes through this once every five years,” Bryson said. “The state fire marshal comes in and evaluates the ability of the department based on its overall capabilities.”
Residents living between five and six miles from the station — including some in the Tuckasegee District — received a Class 9E rating, with the “E” designating an extended district. Those homeowners will maintain current insurance rates and could see additional breaks.
Properties located more than six miles from the station fall under a Class 10 rating and will not see a reduction.
Five years ago, the department was rated Class 5 within Bryson City’s town limits and Class 6 outside the limits.
The Class 4 designation reflects a higher level of fire protection and a lower risk of major or total-loss fires. Ratings are determined using the North Carolina Response Rating System, which scores departments on a scale from 1 to 10, with lower numbers indicating stronger fire protection.
“The lower the number, the better prepared the department is to perform its duties within the district covered,” Bryson said.
According to the Office of State Fire Marshal, departments are evaluated across several categories, including fire department resources, water supply, emergency communications, community risk reduction and district coverage. Fire department resources account for 50% of the score, while water supply makes up 40% and emergency communications 10%.
North Carolina has more than 1,300 fire departments regulated by the state fire marshal’s office, with 385 currently holding a Class 4 rating.
“We are above the average on that,” Bryson said.
Water supply remains a challenge for Bryson City. The department earned 18 out of 30 possible points in that category due to limited water availability, though it received full credit for hydrants, inspections and flow testing.
Bryson also raised concerns about the future middle school site planned for Black Hill Road, citing insufficient water and sewer infrastructure.
“That is an issue between the town and county,” he said. “They want to put a middle school there, but they don’t have the water and sewer available to support it. I am not seeing a lot of discussion in the county as to how they are going to fix that.”
He added that the town does not have the resources to provide necessary infrastructure.
“If the hydrant system isn’t able to provide the amount of water that’s necessary for the buildings in our district, then that takes away from the score,” Bryson said.
The department operates four apparatus, all classified as engines and tankers. It did not receive points for a ladder truck, citing the small size and location of the fire station.
Staffing also limited the department’s score. With three full-time employees working weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and two part-time staff members, the department earned just 2.07 out of 10 points in deployment analysis.
“It’s just like EMS, where if you have people wanting that role, they are expecting to work longer shifts,” Bryson said. “We are forced to offer eight hours Monday through Friday, and that is not how firefighters typically operate.”
Bryson said additional funding is needed to improve staffing and ensure continuous coverage.
“We’re not going not to get you service there, 24/7, until I can get funding,” he said.