Chief's Corner: Tim Geer, BFD

The California wildfires recently left many in our city wondering if the same could happen in Bradenton. Wildfires can occur in forests, grasslands, and rangelands with very dry vegetation. When occurring without human intervention, such as by lightning, wildfires are nature’s way of cleaning up and starting over with new growth. Fires within developed areas are most often limited to vehicles, single structures, and small areas of vegetation.

While we have occasionally had vegetation fires of up to a few acres in the easternmost areas of the city, the Florida Division of Forestry responds t assist with bulldozers that cut fire lines/breaks.

While we have occasionally had vegetation fires of up to a few acres in the easternmost areas of the city, the Florida Division of Forestry responds to assist with bulldozers that cut fire lines/breaks.

Fire Protection Rating: The City of Bradenton Fire Department (BFD) has an Insurance Services Office (ISO) fire protection rating of Class 2. This rating is validated through a comprehensive audit every three years by Verisk, the parent company of ISO. The rating is primarily a consideration for insurance companies in determining premiums, but it also serves to inform communities of where its fire protection service rates on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the best rating possible. Many factors go into the rating assessment, including staffing levels, dispatching (911), apparatus, equipment, training, community risk reduction programs, and water supply. Very few fire agencies attain a Class 1 rating; however, the BFD is always working towards the highest rating possible.

Water System: The BFD’s Class 2 rating validates that the City of Bradenton has a wellperforming water supply system. Minimum fire flow requirements are met in all areas of the city. All 1,700+ of the city’s hydrants are maintained by the fire department and repaired by public works. Hydrant maintenance, operation, and static testing is an annual requirement with all related data recorded in the department’s record management system (RMS). The BFD also completes fire flow testing for all new commercial construction to verify the fire suppression system needs are met.

Apparatus: The department boasts a modern and well-equipped fleet of pumpers and aerials. Pumper tanks carry approximately 750 gallons of water for firefighting, which is sufficient for fire suppression until connecting to a fire hydrant (if needed at all). In short, the BFD maintains operational readiness to serve the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We remain ready to mitigate any fire in the city, in great part due to the confidence we have in the City of Bradenton Public Works and Utilities Department to consistently provide a quality water system to support firefighting operations.