Bernalillo Fire Department improves ISO rating

BERNALILLO — The Bernalillo Fire Department has improved its Insurance Services Office rating from a 5 to a 3.

Fire Chief Mike Legrande updated the town’s council on the rating during a Dec. 9 meeting.

The ISO evaluated the Bernalillo Fire Department’s fire protection capabilities. The ISO assigns a rating based on stuff like staffing, equipment, water supply and training.

“It’s kind of like our report card on how well the department can protect its community,” Legendre said.

According to Legendre, training was something that he was specifically proud of as his department reached 150 hours more than what is required.

An ISO rating is given on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the best.

“In September, we were a class 5 and we went down to a 3, which puts us in the top 16% in the nation,” Legendre said. “Moving forward, I really wanted a 2. We got close, but our biggest hurdle is staffing right now. We will continue working with town management and try to remedy that problem moving forward.”

Mayor Jack Torres praised Legendre and the rest of the fire department for their efforts and achievement.

Additionally, the council unanimously approved an adjustment to the salary schedule for the Bernalillo Police Department, meaning that police personnel could earn raises based on merit-based incentives for training, certifications and new job titles.

Giving a presentation on behalf of the BPD was Police Chief Chris Stoyell.

“Longevity pay is obviously based on requirements for this, which is years of service with Bernalillo Police Department,” Stoyell said.

The adjustments will go into effect in the new year.

At the end of the 28-minute meeting, Torres thanked staff for their work on the Christmas tree lighting and the Christmas parade, which he said “had the biggest turnouts I have ever seen.”

The next town council public meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23.