By Cecilia Nasmith

Among the potential benefits that can be expected from the rural fire-response accreditation boost awarded to Cramahe Township is the possibility of better insurance rates for township residents.

The good news comes from Cramahe Township, following the recent test of water-pumper fire capacity with its new pumper truck, giving the Cramahe Fire Department team an opportunity to prove their skill.

“On Sept. 14, 2022, we recertified to an upgraded Commercial/Industrial flow exceeding 600 gallons per minute (Class 7), tripling our previous flow rate,” Fire Chief Mark MacDonald said in the announcement.

“The new large-capacity tanker and highly skilled firefighter team were pivotal to achieving this rating without using our mutual aid tanker system.”

Cramahe's new certificate will be issued soon and posted on the township's website.

In 1989, the International Fire Service Training Association Fire Department Water Tanker Shuttle accreditation was brought to Ontario by the industry. The goal was to certify an “equivalent to hydrant” rating for rural areas not serviced by municipal fire hydrants. As a fire department certifies its water-flow capacities, insurance companies may choose to recognizes this enhanced water-supply rating when determining home-insurance rates.

Cramahe Township can boast a residential rating of 200 gallons per minute and a commercial/industrial rating of 400 to 500 gallons per minute water flow.

For more information on Fire Protection Survey Services, who conducted the test, visit http://fpss.ca/index.html