Natchitoches Fire Chief John Wynn addressed the Natchitoches City Council during its October 26 meeting, outlining the factors that contributed to the department earning a Class 1 fire protection rating from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) for the first time in its history.
The department improved from a Class 2 rating to Class 1, reflecting improvements in emergency communications, firefighter training, equipment, staffing, water supply and community risk reduction. Wynn explained that PIAL generally evaluates fire departments on a five-year cycle, with the department’s previous evaluation conducted in 2021.
During that evaluation, the department received 87.37 points. Its latest score increased to 90.99 points, exceeding the 90-point threshold required for a Class 1 rating.
Wynn provided council members with a breakdown of the categories used to determine the rating. The department received 9.55 out of 10 points for emergency communications, which evaluates how emergency calls are received and processed through the 911 communications center. In the fire department category, Natchitoches received 38.89 out of 50 points. That evaluation considers fire engines, reserve equipment, pumping capacity, ladder and rescue apparatus, equipment deployment, staffing and training.
Wynn said the department maintains a minimum of 12 firefighters on duty, with 14 assigned to each shift. The department also received a perfect score of 9 out of 9 points for firefighter training.
The city’s water supply system was another significant factor in the evaluation. The department received 38.26 out of 40 points in that category, which considers water availability, hydrant management and related infrastructure. Wynn credited the city’s Water Department and a third-party contractor responsible for inspecting and testing fire hydrants. He noted that Natchitoches has more than 800 fire hydrants, all of which have been electronically mapped. The department received the full 0.5 points available for electronic hydrant locations.
The department also earned 4.56 out of 5.5 points for community risk reduction efforts, including public education and smoke detector programs. Wynn emphasized that the achievement reflects years of investment in personnel, equipment, training, emergency preparedness and cooperation among city departments and neighboring fire districts. He also recognized the importance of mutual aid agreements and relationships established under previous fire department leadership.
Beyond improving emergency response capabilities, the Class 1 designation could provide financial benefits for residents and businesses. Wynn explained that homeowners and commercial property owners may qualify for reduced fire insurance premiums, depending on their insurance providers and individual policies.
During the meeting, council members asked whether residents would need to contact their insurance companies to receive potential reductions.
Wynn said PIAL provides notification of rating changes to insurance providers but encouraged homeowners to contact their insurers directly. He added that the Fire Department could assist residents needing documentation of the new rating.
Natchitoches resident Deborah Thompson told the council that she had contacted her insurance company following the earlier announcement of the Class 1 designation and was asked to provide official written documentation. City officials discussed making the department’s announcement available to residents who need verification for their insurance providers.
Council members congratulated Wynn and the department on the achievement, emphasizing its significance for public safety and the community. City officials also announced that three commemorative plaques had been prepared for display at the city’s three fire stations.