COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE
Fire Station Location Study
April 2012
Dennis Wolf, Fire Management Consultant
The University of Tennessee, Institute for Public Service
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... 1
List of Tables ................................................................................................................. 1
List of Figures ................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction and Scope of Work ..................................................................................... 2
Background.................................................................................................................... 2
Community Risk – General Overview ............................................................................ 5
Future Needs ................................................................................................................. 6
How Many Fire Stations Does Columbia Need? ............................................................ 7
How Many Ladder Companies Does Columbia Need? ................................................ 11
Plan Implementation .................................................................................................... 13
EMS Drive-time Zones for Each Fire Station ................................................................ 14
Summary ..................................................................................................................... 20
Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 21
Appendix A – Estimated Travel Times and Total Response Time in Minutes ............... 23
References .................................................................................................................. 24
List of Tables
Table 1 - Columbia Fire Department Stations and Apparatus ........................................ 2
Table 2 – Columbia Fire Department Apparatus and Staffing ........................................ 3
List of Figures
Figure 1 – Public Protection Classification (ISO Rating) in the US ................................. 4
Figure 2 – Public Protection Classification (ISO Rating) in Tennessee .......................... 4
Figure 3 – Bear Creek Pike Land Use Plan .................................................................... 7
Figure 4 – Time versus Products of Combustion.......................................................... 10
Figure 5 – Columbia Fire Stations with 1½ Mile Response Areas ................................ 11
Figure 6 – 3-Story Buildings and Ladder Company Coverage...................................... 12
Figure 7 – Locations of Existing and Proposed Fire Stations ....................................... 14
Figure 8 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 1 .................................................. 15
Figure 9 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 2 .................................................. 16
Figure 10 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 3 ................................................ 17
Figure 11 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 4 ................................................ 18
Figure 12 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 5 ................................................ 19
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
1
Introduction and Scope of Work
MTAS conducted this study at the request of Mr. Lee Bergeron, Fire Chief for the City of
Columbia. The study’s purpose is to answer three questions:
1. Station 3 is obsolete: Where should Columbia relocate Station 3?
2. Where should Columbia place its next fire station(s)?
3. What are the EMS drive time zones for each fire station?
A written request from Chief Bergeron authorized MTAS to conduct an official study.
Background
The City of Columbia is located in, and is the county seat of, Maury County in Middle
Tennessee, near the cities of Spring Hill and Mount Pleasant. Columbia is
approximately 25 miles from Franklin and 45 miles from Nashville. A Council-Manager
form of government governs the city. The seven-member council, which includes the
mayor and vice mayor, sets policy and evaluates the management of the city. The
council appoints the city manager who oversees all operational activities.
Fire protection and staffing is a local policy issue, and a community must balance local
resources against acceptable risk. The City of Columbia provides fire services to
34,681 residents through a municipal fire department organized under Article XVIII of
the city charter. The Columbia Fire Department is a career fire department recognized
by the State of Tennessee and funded by the City of Columbia. The fire department
operates five engine companies and one truck company from five fire stations, located
throughout 32 square miles (Table 1). All Columbia engines have a minimum staffing
level of three personnel: a lieutenant, a driver, and a firefighter, but sometimes may
have four personnel (Table 2). Columbia’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public
Protection Classification (ISO rating) is a split classification of Class 3/9. The Class 3
ISO rating places Columbia in the top 6% of communities nationwide (Figure 1) and in
the top 5% in Tennessee (Figure 2) in terms of fire protection and indicates that
Columbia has made excellent decisions in planning for community fire protection.
Columbia Fire Department Stations
District
Equipment
Address
Engine 1 , Truck 1 Rescue 1,
1
Shift Commander
1000 S. Garden Street
2
Truck 2
4711 Lion Parkway
3
Truck 3
1306 Nashville Highway
4
Engine 4
5040 Trotwood Avenue
5
Engine 5
2633 Nashville Highway
Table 1 - Columbia Fire Department Stations and Apparatus
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
2
Station
Apparatus
Type
Pump
Capacity
1
1
1
1
Engine 1
Truck 1
Rescue 1
Shift
Commander
Truck 2
Truck 3
Engine 4
Engine 5
Engine
Quint
Rescue
SUV
1,500
1,500
n/a
n/a
Quint
Quint
Engine
Engine
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,250
Reserve at
Station 4
Reserve at
Station 1
Engine
Engine
2
3
4
5
Aerial
Ladder
Length
n/a
100
n/a
n/a
Maximum
Daily
Staffing
4
3
2
1
Minimum
Daily
Staffing
3
3
2
1
1,250
75
75
n/a
n/a
TOTAL
n/a
5
5
4
4
28
n/a
4
3
3
3
22
n/a
1,250
n/a
n/a
n/a
Notes:
Truck 1 has 7 personnel assigned, and at least one of those personnel usually staff
Rescue 1. Rescue 1 reports to the officer of Truck 1 during fires, extrications, and
rescues unless they are active on an EMS call or requested as extra personnel at a
another scene. If there is a fire call, Rescue 1 and Truck 1 respond as a two-piece
company and the truck operates with a minimum of 5 personnel on the scene. If there is
a medical call, Rescue 1 responds and the truck then responds with 3 people until
Rescue 1 returns to service. Some of the time, Truck 1 will have a maximum of 4
personnel in addition to personnel on Rescue 1.
There are 28 personnel assigned to each shift. Policy allows up to 4 personnel to be off
on vacation, for 1 person to be off sick (if appropriate), and for 1 person to be off for
training, which is a minimum staffing level of 22 personnel on-duty each day. When
needed, the department uses overtime to maintain a minimum staffing level of 22
personnel on-duty.
The fire department operates a regional Hazmat team and, upon response, staffs the
team with on-duty personnel, which takes companies out of service for fire and EMS
calls.
A quint is a fire apparatus that has a fire pump, water tank, hose bed, full set of ground
(extension) ladders, and an aerial ladder mounted to the truck frame. For quint
apparatus, ISO will award up to full engine credit and half ladder credit depending upon
the size of the aerial ladder and the tools and equipment carried.
Table 2 – Columbia Fire Department Apparatus and Staffing
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
3
Public Protection Classification in US
13,409
14,000
Number of Communities
12,000
10,000
8,089
8,000
8,890
5,986
6,000
4,613
4,000
3,038
2,015
2,000
62
0
1,637
585
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Public Protection Classification
Figure 1 – Public Protection Classification (ISO Rating) in the US
Public Protection Classification in TN
350
319
Number of Communities
300
250
200
178
199
141
150
85
100
0
49
38
50
0
5
1
2
6
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
8B
9
10
Public Protection Classification
Figure 2 – Public Protection Classification (ISO Rating) in Tennessee
The Columbia Fire Department dispatch office receives calls for emergency fire and
medical services for locations inside Columbia’s corporate limits and dispatches the
appropriate emergency resources.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
4
Columbia Power and Water Systems provides water for public consumption and fire
suppression. The water pressure and the gallons-per-minute fire flows needed for fire
suppression operations are adequate to protect the properties at risk.
Community Risk – General Overview
Columbia covers 32 square miles and has a population of 34,681. The city’s urban
growth boundary is large, so additional major growth is likely once the economy
improves. The greatest growth has occurred in Ward One in the central northwest
portion of the city, which is covered primarily by Fire Stations 1, 2 and 3. Annexation
and new development provided the growth in Ward One. The second greatest growth
has occurred in Ward Five, the northeast and east portion of the city extending out
Nashville Highway and Bear Creek Pike, which is covered primarily by Fire Stations 1, 3
and 5.
From 2000 to 2010, Columbia’s population increased by 4.9% making Columbia the 18th
largest city in Tennessee. Columbia’s population is graying, with 14.3% of the
population age 65 or older, as compared to the state average of 13.4%. Statistically,
older population segments tend to use EMS services more than other population
segments. Approximately 80% of the Columbia Fire Department’s responses for 2011
were for emergency medical calls.
Approximately 9.5% of the housing stock is vacant. This number does not include
houses in foreclosure, which means that the percentage of vacant homes and buildings
is probably higher. Research by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has
shown that the incidence of fires in vacant buildings increases when the economy is
weak, and that the risk to neighborhoods is greater as fires in vacant buildings are more
likely to spread to adjacent homes than fires in occupied homes. Nationwide, almost
half of all fires in vacant buildings are arson fires.
The Duck River does affect response times to some areas, and the river creates two
separate geographical zones, north (Stations 3 and 5) and south (Stations 1, 2 and 4)
for the department. The department tries to maintain at least seven personnel in each
zone for firefighter safety and to allow the department to comply with OSHA’s 2-in/2-out
rule and NFPA Standard 1710, Section 5.2.4.1.1, to have a Rapid Intervention Team
(RIT) available with the initial arriving company.
The City of Columbia has commercial occupancies distributed throughout it that include
mostly retail and business uses. Retail trade (28%), health (18%), professional (10%),
accommodation/food service (10%), real estate/rental/leasing (7%), wholesale trade
(5%), and manufacturing (5%) are the largest industries in Columbia. Health care, retail
trade, accommodation/food service, and manufacturing are the four sectors with the
most number of employees. The healthcare industry continues to show growth in jobs.
The split Class 3/9 ISO rating is the result of annexation of land beyond the coverage
area of a Columbia fire station. Class 9 applies to properties within five road miles of a
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
5
fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a hydrant. Many areas are far beyond five road
miles of any Columbia fire station. The intersection of I-65 and Bear Creek, for
example, is 7.8 miles (travel time of 13:55) from Station 3 and 9.4 miles (travel time of
16:38) from Station 1. ISO assigns Class 10, which is equivalent to having no fire
protection, to properties beyond five road miles, and the only reason ISO has assigned
the Class 9 rating to the areas in Columbia that are further than five miles from a
Columbia fire station is because of mutual aid with neighboring fire departments. The
existing residential and commercial properties and the proposed industrial park should
have better fire services to attract more growth and to lower insurance premiums for
businesses and residents in all areas that are further than five miles from a Columbia
fire station.
The City of Columbia will continue to grow because of its central location, easy
commuting distance to Nashville, convenience to area residents, and community
services and attractions. Columbia is an attractive city with aesthetic design and has
sufficient undeveloped land for planned residential and commercial growth. Its location
next to the major transportation routes of I-65, US Highway 412, US Highway 43, and
US Highway 31 make commuting convenient for those who want to work in a larger city
like Nashville but live in a smaller, well-managed community. Existing fire services are
not adequate for the size of the area served.
Future Needs
Strip annexation proceeding to the east along Bear Creek Pike to just past I-65 has
created the need to provide fire services quite a distance from central Columbia. A
planned business park for the I-65/Bear Creek Pike area (see Figure 3) will increase the
need for fire and emergency services in this area. Station 5 provides services to the
area north of central Columbia going north along Nashville Highway to the GM plant.
This station is an island of fire services for the area due to extended response times for
other Columbia Fire Department resources. Other areas, such as the Todd Carter and
Early Road area, the area along Williamsport east of Perkins Lane, and the area south
of South James M. Campbell and east of a line of Country Club Lane are outside of the
1½-mile response distance for an engine company.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
6
Figure 3 – Bear Creek Pike Land Use Plan
Columbia expects to see residential and commercial development throughout its urban
growth boundary, but the current economy precludes immediate growth. Therefore, the
city must plan for future fire service needs to accommodate future growth.
How Many Fire Stations Does Columbia Need?
To answer the question of how many fire stations Columbia needs now, one can look at
several sources for guidance. The first is the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Fire
Suppression Rating Schedule. Section 560 of the schedule covers distribution of
companies and states: “The built-upon area of the city should have a first-due engine
company within 1½-miles and a ladder-service company within 2½-miles.”
Using an “as the crow flies” radius of 1½-miles to draw a circle does not adequately
represent the geographical area that a single fire station can cover. Studies have
shown that a polygon better represents the ISO required response area, and that the
average size of the polygon is 4.5 square miles. Two caveats: the polygon model
assumes the even distribution of resources throughout the area, which is generally not
the case, and the formula does not allow for geographical barriers, such as rivers and
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
7
railroads, but the formula is useful as a reference. Based upon a 32 square mile service
area, a travel distance of 1½-miles, and assuming all engine companies are evenly
distributed (which they are not) Columbia needs 7.11 fire stations right now for
adequate coverage.
One can use the polygon model to determine the number of needed ladder trucks or
service companies based upon ISO’s maximum travel distance of 2½-miles for a ladder
or service company. The average size of a polygon for a ladder or service company is
12.3 square miles. Based upon a 32 square mile service area, a travel distance of 2½miles, and assuming all ladder companies are evenly distributed (which they are not)
Columbia needs 2.60 ladder companies right now.
The ISO standard for distribution is 1½-miles for an engine and 2½-miles for a truck
company, but ISO will extend a community’s fire protection rating as far as five miles
from a fire station provided there is adequate water available for fire protection. There
is a caveat for basing fire protection on this five-mile distance, and that is the risks
associated with extended response times. Travel time, measured as the time from
when the fire department resource starts to roll until it arrives on the scene, is just one
component of response time (see Appendix A). At 1½-miles, the travel time for a fire
engine is approximately 3:12 (time expressed as minutes: seconds). At five miles, the
travel time is approximately 9:09. The response time, which includes ring time, call
answering, call processing, turnout, and travel time, is much longer. Thus, a total
response time of six or seven minutes for stations based on 1½ mile distribution
increases to twelve or thirteen minutes (or longer if call processing and turnout times
exceed NFPA recommendations) based on five-mile distribution. As stated earlier in
this report, the level of fire protection provided in a community is a local decision, but
MTAS does not recommend basing community fire protection on this maximum five-mile
distance.
The second resource is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA
addresses the number of fire stations needed in an indirect way based on minimum
response times. NFPA Standard 1710 Section 5.2.4.1.1 allows a 240 second (4
minute) travel time for the first arriving engine company. Using an empirical model
called the piece-wise linear travel time function, based upon studies done by the Rand
Institute estimating the average response speed of fire apparatus at 35 mph, one can
determine that the distance a fire engine can travel in 4 minutes is approximately 1.97
miles. A polygon based on a 1.97 mile travel distance covers on average 7.3 square
miles. Based upon a 32 square mile service area, a travel-time-calculated travel
distance of 1.97 miles, and assuming all engine companies are evenly distributed
(which they are not) Columbia needs 4.38 fire stations right now, and Columbia
currently has five stations. However, the city is not evenly distributed, and strip
annexation has extended the corporate limits far beyond what the existing fire stations
can cover adequately.
The previous two examples are based upon time and distance to be covered. A third
resource is the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule’s determination of needed
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
8
engine companies based upon the community’s basic (needed) fire flow. Section 510 of
the schedule requires one engine company for a basic fire flow of 500 to 1,000 gpm,
two engine companies for a basic fire flow of 1,250 to 2,500 gpm, and three engine
companies for a basic fire flow of 3,000 to 3,500 gpm. Basic fire flow is determined by
determining the needed fire flow for all non-sprinklered properties in the community, and
then the fifth highest is considered the basic fire flow for the community. For Columbia,
that is 3,500 gallons-per-minute. A strong commercial and residential sprinkler
ordinance can limit significantly community risk, as ISO does not consider properties
protected by automatic sprinkler systems when determining the basic fire flow, and
sprinklered properties reduce the fire risk in the community. Columbia has adopted
model codes that require fire sprinklers in certain types of buildings, but Columbia
should consider adopting a more restrictive sprinkler ordinance for commercial
properties to reduce risk to the community. For example, an ordinance requiring a
sprinkler system for all commercial properties that exceed 5,000 square feet would
reduce community risk and limit fire growth.
Finally, city leaders must consider the phenomenon known as flashover. As a fire
grows in size, it gives off heat that heats other objects in the vicinity of the fire. At some
point in the time-temperature curve, all of the objects in the fire room reach their ignition
temperature and ignite. The entire room bursts into flames, and the temperature rises
to a point where no person can survive, including firefighters. This is called flashover.
The NFPA Fire Protection Handbook states: “During flashover, however, the
temperature rises very sharply to such a level that survival of persons still in the room at
that stage becomes unlikely. Thus the time interval between the start of the fire and the
occurrence of flashover is a major factor in the time that is available for safe evacuation
of the fire area.” The development of fire conditions to reach the point of flashover is a
function of temperature rise over time. Therefore, a sufficient number of fire stations
strategically located to provide quick response times can reduce the incidence of
flashover, thus saving lives and property. As shown in the graph in Figure 4, flashover
can occur within 9 to 11 minutes of the start of a fire. Locating fire stations to provide a
total response time of six to seven minutes is advantageous, as firefighters need time
after arrival to setup, lay fire hose, and gain access to the seat of the fire before they
can actually begin to search for trapped occupants or extinguish the fire. This is where
the five-mile distribution of fire stations proves to be inadequate.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
9
Figure 4 – Time versus Products of Combustion
Figure 5 shows the current coverage area for all five stations. The polygon areas
represent 1½-mile travel distances, or approximately 3:12 travel times. The software
program used to create the map is not capable of providing street details at this scale,
but the Duck River and major roads, along with the marked location of existing fire
stations, serve as landmarks for orientation. Looking at this map, it is apparent that
Columbia has significant areas that fall outside of the 1½-mile coverage area of an
engine company.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
10
Figure 5 – Columbia Fire Stations with 1½ Mile Response Areas
How Many Ladder Companies Does Columbia Need?
A community needs a ladder company when it has at least five buildings that are three
stories or more than thirty-five feet in height. Columbia has many buildings that meet
these criteria. Figure 6 shows the groupings of the buildings that require a ladder
company and the 2½-mile coverage areas of the ladder truck and the quints. As
mentioned previously, based on ISO’s requirements for distribution, according to the
polygon model, Columbia needs three ladder companies, and there is one ladder
company in service at Station 1. However, the department uses quint apparatus, which
is a fire truck that has a pump, water tank, and carries all of the equipment required for
an engine company, plus carries equipment required for a ladder company and has an
aerial ladder, at Stations 2 and 3 to provide ladder coverage.
The use of quint apparatus is cost effective as the city receives up to full credit for an
engine company and half credit for a ladder company (credit depends upon the size of
the aerial ladder, the equipment inventory, and required pump, hose, and ladder tests).
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
11
As shown in Figure 6, Columbia has three areas that have buildings that require a
ladder company. Columbia has one dedicated ladder company, Truck 1. Trucks 2 and
3 are quints, but they are also required engine companies, so ISO credits them as
engine companies first and ladder companies second. Since they receive half-credit as
a ladder company, the city receives credit for two, and not three, ladder trucks (Truck 1
receives full credit, Trucks 2 and 3 receive half credit each: 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 2), so
Columbia is one truck company short per ISO requirements. The existing three story
hotels on Halifax Drive and the proposed industrial park east of I-65 and Bear Creek
Pike are outside the effective coverage area of any existing ladder company, so this
area needs an additional truck company, which means Columbia is actually two truck
companies short of meeting ISO requirements.
Areas of Columbia not covered by a ladder company must have a service company. A
service company carries the same tools and equipment as a ladder company but does
not carry an aerial ladder. Any area outside the ladder company response areas shown
on the map in Figure 6 should have a service company, and this affects Station 5’s
coverage area.
Figure 6 – 3-Story Buildings and Ladder Company Coverage
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
12
Plan Implementation
Five stations serve Columbia currently. Because of age and physical condition, Station
3 is scheduled for demolition and replacement, and the department is considering
relocating the fire station further north to provide coverage to the area between Stations
3 and 5. While this is acceptable under a five-mile maximum fire station coverage area
concept, it does not provide optimal coverage and will create a gap in coverage based
upon the ISO required 1½-mile coverage area. To provide the best customer service
possible, to help maintain Columbia’s excellent Class 3 ISO rating, and to improve the
insurance classification in the areas receiving the Class 9 ISO rating, Columbia needs
to build three additional fire stations. Fire stations are expensive capital projects, and
the city can add the stations in phases to budget for and manage the financial impact.
Phase one, Columbia should build and staff the first proposed station in the 1300 block
of Bear Creek Pike between Nicholson Schoolhouse Road and Rock Springs Road.
This location provides coverage for the existing commercial and proposed business and
industrial park, as well as for residents in this area. This fire station will improve
response times in this area significantly. Because of the three story buildings and
proposed business and industrial park, Columbia should place a 100-foot quint in
service at this station.
Phase two, Columbia should build and staff the second proposed station in the 2100
block of Nashville Highway between Harlan Road and Walnut Drive. This location
provides ready access to a major road for fast north and south response times and
closes the coverage gap between Fire Stations 3 and 5. A station at this location
reduces the response time of the second engine company to fires and other
emergencies in Station 5’s district.
Phase three, Columbia should demolish and build a new Fire Station 3 on or near the
existing location. Station 3’s current location provides good coverage for the
commercial and residential development in the area. Closing this station and relocating
the engine company will change the response dynamics and create a gap in coverage.
As an option to delay the financial impact of placing an additional engine company in
service, once the second proposed station is completed, Columbia can temporarily
relocate the engine and crew to the new station while the old Station 3 is demolished
and a new station is constructed. When the new Station 3 is finished, Columbia should
place an additional engine company and crew in service to staff the new Station 3.
Phase four, Columbia should build and staff the third proposed station in the 700 block
of Bear Creek Pike between Tom Sharp Road and Rip Steele Road. This location
provides coverage for the gap area along Bear Creek Pike and provides the second
engine company to back up the proposed station in the 1300 block of Bear Pike Road.
This station will serve existing and future development along Bear Creek Pike as well as
existing and future residential developments. This fire station will improve response
times significantly. Construction of this station is not anticipated until further
development or annexation occurs in the Bear Creek Pike area.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
13
Figure 7 shows the proposed locations of the three additional fire stations and the 1½mile ISO response zones relationship to the existing fire stations. It is easy to see from
the map that the five existing fire station locations provide the best coverage possible to
meet ISO’s 1½-mile travel distance with minimal overlap. The three proposed fire
stations make use of the existing locations to close the coverage gaps created through
annexation while maintaining the 1½ mile ISO travel distance with minimal overlap.
Figure 7 – Locations of Existing and Proposed Fire Stations
EMS Drive-time Zones for Each Fire Station
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses account for about 80% of the fire
department’s call volume, which is consistent with state and national trends. The fire
department is well suited to provide prompt and efficient emergency medical services to
the community. Response time is critical in certain medical emergencies, including
cardiac and respiratory emergencies, strokes, and traumatic injury. The maps on the
following pages show the estimated travel times from each fire station for a medical
response. Factors affecting travel times include the type of street, hills, curves, and the
number of turns required. The times reflected on the maps are just the travel time for
the apparatus and do not include ring time, call processing, and turnout time, so the
actual response time will be higher.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
14
Figure 8 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 1
Key:
Blue zone = 3 minutes
Green zone = 4 minutes
Purple zone = 5 minutes
Red zone = 6 minutes
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
15
Figure 9 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 2
Key:
Blue zone = 3 minutes
Green zone = 4 minutes
Purple zone = 5 minutes
Red zone = 6 minutes
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
16
Figure 10 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 3
Key:
Blue zone = 3 minutes
Green zone = 4 minutes
Purple zone = 5 minutes
Red zone = 6 minutes
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
17
Figure 11 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 4
Key:
Blue zone = 3 minutes
Green zone = 4 minutes
Purple zone = 5 minutes
Red zone = 6 minutes
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
18
Figure 12 – Estimated EMS Travel Times for Station 5
Key:
Blue zone = 3 minutes
Green zone = 4 minutes
Purple zone = 5 minutes
Red zone = 6 minutes
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
19
Summary
The City of Columbia enjoys a Class 3/9 ISO split rating. The Class 3 rating places the
city in the top 6% of communities nationwide in terms of fire protection. Because of the
Class 3 rating, residents and business owners enjoy lower insurance rates where the
Class 3 rating applies. The Class 9 rating indicates that Columbia needs to improve fire
services in the areas rated Class 9, as these homeowners and businesses pay higher
insurance premiums and wait longer for the arrival of fire and medical resources than
residents and businesses in the Class 3 areas. Annexation and growth have occurred
in Columbia without the accompanying growth in fire resources. Columbia’s existing fire
stations are strategically located to provide the maximum coverage possible with
minimal overlap to meet ISO’s requirements, but these five stations no longer provide
adequate coverage to Columbia, hence the split Class 9 ISO rating. Without improving
distribution, which is the way ISO credits the number of fire stations in a community and
their locations, Columbia could see a future reduction (worsening) of its Class 3 ISO
rating and an increase in insurance premiums for residents and business owners.
Because of the age and physical condition of the station, Fire Station 3 needs to be
demolished and replaced with a new station. Columbia had planned to relocate this
station further north, but relocation will create a gap in fire protection coverage. The
current location of Station 3 is perfect for providing balanced response based upon ISO
requirements. Columbia should add a fire station to close the coverage gap and
replace Station 3 at its current location.
The Bear Creek Pike area (see Figure 3) has existing commercial and residential
development that requires better fire protection than it currently receives. Further
development will increase the risk in the area. This area needs at least two fire stations
for adequate coverage.
Growth and annexation have caused Columbia to fall behind in fire protection in the
annexation and growth areas. To provide adequate fire protection coverage and
maintain distribution credit to ISO requirements, Columbia needs to add and staff three
additional fire stations.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
20
Recommendations
The most efficient and cost effective way for the City of Columbia to provide an allhazards service delivery program that addresses community risks and needs is in the
following recommendations, which also answers the three questions posed by Chief
Bergeron.
1. Adopt a response time standard for the community. Columbia is a perpetual
organization that will outlast current leaders, and this study looks towards build
out, which is 20-plus years in the future. Once adopted, the response time
standard will serve as a planning guide for future leaders. This study
recommends a response time standard of 6:35 (six minutes, 35 seconds) for
90% of all responses, which is based upon recommendations found in NFPA
Standard 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire
Suppression Operations. The 6:35 breaks down as follows: ring time – 15
seconds, call processing time – 60 seconds, firefighter turnout time – 80
seconds, travel time – 240 seconds. Using this standard, planners would look for
fire station locations to maintain a 4 minute travel time to as much of the area to
be protected as possible.
2. Adopt a sprinkler ordinance for all new commercial construction. When
determining the basic fire flow for a community, ISO does not consider properties
protected by a code complaint automatic sprinkler system. In a sprinklered
building, the amount of time between the occurrence of a fire and reopening for
business can be as little as a few hours or days versus months, years or even
never rebuilding for a non-sprinklered building.
3. Research and consider adopting a residential sprinkler ordinance to require
residential sprinklers in all new residential construction. Tennessee’s fire
mortality rate for civilians has been among the highest in the nation. During
2002-2010, the time period for the Tennessee Fire Mortality Study, the national
fire mortality rate declined, but the rate in Tennessee increased. Residential
structure fires account for about three-fourths of all civilian fire deaths in the
state. Residential sprinklers save money and lives and are a good investment in
a home, but they are controversial in many communities which is why this study
recommends research on residential sprinklers before considering adopting an
ordinance. Adopting an ordinance would be proactive for community safety.
4. Begin planning and budgeting for phased construction and staffing of three
additional fire stations as outlined in this report. A fire station is an essential
facility and should be designed to be self-sufficient for major emergencies (power
outages, ice storms, etc.) and immediately occupiable following an earthquake of
a magnitude possible for the community, which is an M6.1 for Maury County.
Columbia is at risk for tornados (the largest tornado in the Columbia area was an
F5 that occurred in 1998 just 9.3 miles from the city center and caused 36
injuries and 3 deaths), and all new stations should have a safe room for
firefighters to use during tornado warnings. A fire station is a complex building,
and Columbia should use professional architects, engineers, and builders who
are familiar with the special needs for fire stations.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
21
5. Columbia has a high percentage of vacant properties. Vacant properties have a
higher incidence of arson fires than occupied properties. Consider the adoption
of a vacant building ordinance and the establishment of a vacant properties task
force. Resources for creating an ordinance to address this issue can be found at
this website: http://www.interfire.org/features/vacantbuildings.asp.
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
22
Appendix A – Estimated Travel Times and Total Response Time in Minutes
Distance To
Travel in
Miles
Estimated
Travel Time
Ring Time
Call
Processing
Time
Fire Dept.
Turnout
Time
Total
Response
Time
0.25
0.38
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.25
4.50
4.75
5.00
5.25
5.50
5.75
6.00
6.25
6.50
6.75
7.00
1.08
1.30
1.50
1.93
2.35
2.78
3.20
3.63
4.05
4.48
4.90
5.33
5.75
6.18
6.60
7.03
7.45
7.88
8.30
8.73
9.15
9.58
10.00
10.43
10.85
11.28
11.70
12.13
12.55
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
3.66
3.88
4.08
4.51
4.93
5.36
5.78
6.21
6.63
7.06
7.48
7.91
8.33
8.76
9.18
9.61
10.03
10.46
10.88
11.31
11.73
12.16
12.58
13.01
13.43
13.86
14.28
14.71
15.13
Notes:
• Travel time was calculated using the Rand formula of T = 1.7(D) to estimate travel
time, where T is time and D is the distance to be covered expressed in miles.
• The 15-second ring time, 60-second call processing time, and 80-second turnout
time are based on recommendations found in NFPA Standard 1710.
• Minutes expressed as decimal minutes: to compute seconds, multiply the decimal
number by 60. For example, 3.66 decimal minutes equals 3:40 (3 minutes, forty
seconds).
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
23
References
Ahrens, Marty. (2009). Vacant Building Fires. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection
Association.
College Station Fire Department. (2000). Fire Protection Master Plan. College Station,
TX: College Station Fire Department.
City-Data.com. Columbia Economy and Business Data. http://www.city-data.com/
business/econ-Columbia-Tennessee.html.
City of Columbia Grants and Planning Department. (2010). 2010 Demographic Report.
Columbia, TN: City of Columbia.
Compton, Dennis and John Granito, eds. (2002). Managing Fire and Rescue Services
(2nd ed). Washington, DC: The International City/County Management Association
(ICMA).
Cote, Arthur, Grant, Casey, Hall, John, Solomon, Robert (Eds.). (2008). Fire Protection
Handbook, 20th Edition. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Folz, David H., Shults, Chris, Meyers, Mike, Adams-O’Brien, Frances, Festa, Leah,
West, Gary L. (2011). An Analysis of Civilian Residential Fire Deaths in Tennessee,
2002 - 2010. Knoxville, TN: The University of Tennessee.
Hunt, James W. (2010). Making the Case. Fire Chief. pp. 32-42.
Insurance Services Office. (2003). Fire Protection Rating Schedule (edition 02-03).
Jersey City, NJ: Insurance Services Office (ISO).
Maury County Tennessee. (2005). Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Columbia, TN: Maury County Office of Emergency Management.
National Fire Protection Association. (2010). NFPA 1710, Standard for the
Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical
Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments. Boston,
MA: National Fire Protection Association.
US Census Bureau Quick Facts.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/4716540.html
Wikipedia. Columbia, Tennessee information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia,_Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
24