In 2008, the fire district was rated by Property Insurance Association of Louisiana. During that survey the fire district was notified it had improved in the town of Mamou from a Class Four rating to a Class Three rating. In the rural areas of the fire district the rating had improved in the score but was going to stay a Class Five.
At that time, the volunteer firemen from Mamou, W.C. Read and Vidrine fire departments went to work. The firemen were informed if the departments could increase the amount of water flowed at the water shuttle demo, the rating could change. At the in 2008, the departments flowed 1,000 gallons of water per minute. To improve the rating, the departments would have to flow 1,500 gallons of water per minute. This was a feat never before undertaken by any fire department in the parish.
After a few changes and a lot of practice, the fire district was ready to attempt the goal. Fire departments from Mamou, Vidrine, W.C. Read, Ville Platte, Eunice, Basile, Pine Prairie, Chataignier and Turkey Creek came together to pull off the very big challenge.
On May 26, the evaluator from PIAL came to Mamou to witness the water shuttle demonstration. Under a rain storm, the fire departments completed the shuttle with much success.
On July 6, District Chief Reed received the official letter stating the rating had improved from a Class Five to a Class Four in the rural areas for the district. All properties within the district boundaries and within seven road miles of a recognized fire station will receive the four rating. Residents in this area should contact their insurance companies and notify them of the improvement.
The average resident of the district does not realize how big this feat was to achieve. In the State of Louisiana there are very few all-volunteer fire departments which can actually pull off a 1,500 GPM water shuttle. Chief Reed went on to state Mamou Fire District, which is all volunteer, has the same rating as a the Ville Platte Fire Department, which is a paid/volunteer and the Alexandria Fire Department which is an all paid fire department.
Many organizations came together to assist us in this endeavor and we wish to thank the Mamou Police Department, the Mamou water Department, the fire departments from Ville Platte, Eunice, Chataignier, Basile, Pine Prairie and Turkey Creek. Also, a big thank you goes out to all the volunteers from Mamou Fire Department along with their Chief Chester Granger, the volunteers from W.C. Read Fire Department and their Chief Mitch Manuel and the volunteers from Vidrine Fire Department and their Chief Damion Aguillard for all the extra hours of dedication to complete this goal.
The Mamou Fire District Board of Commissioners has pledged to continue this effort to better the district by backing the volunteers with all the needs necessary to make our community fire safe for all, Reed said.
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