By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal

The news is better than expected for the town of Hayneville regarding the Insurance Services Office’s (ISO) fire department rating improvement announcement.

Hayneville Fire Chief Jesse McCall has announced the ISO has given Hayneville’s Volunteer Fire Department a rating of 7/9.

Earlier Mayor Kelvin J. Lawrence reported the rate was expected to improve from a 10, the highest possible, to 8/9.

“This rating means lower insurance rates for the citizens of Hayneville,” McCall said.

He said, “When we were first told, we were told it would probably be an 8/9 and things turned out it was even greater (better) than what we were initially told.”

According to McCall, the ISO asked the town of Hayneville to take the separately incorporated, at the time, volunteer fire department under its wing.

He said he was appointed chief and Scott Holmes, a retired Montgomery city firefighter and a resident of Hayneville, was appointed as assistant chief.

McCall said he went to work recruiting volunteers, scheduling classes and training for new recruits. And he and Ronnie Daniel, a grant writer and projects manager for the town, began seeking grants for the restructured fire department.

McCall said Holmes used his years of acquired skills and contacts “to help the department stand strong.”

McCall said, “All of the hard work and determination has finally paid off,” and he thanked all of the volunteers “who have worked tirelessly and given freely of themselves to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Hayneville.”

He said, “We are grateful that we got where we are.”