Jackson Free Press

An unnamed source inside the Jackson Fire Department says he is worried that the Jackson Fire Department may not retain its current ISO rating when the city is up for inspection early this year.

Once every 10 years, the Insurance Services Office uses the Public Protection Classification to gauge the ability of the Jackson Fire Department to respond to fires. ISO collects and analyzes the city's fire protection information using a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, assigning a classification of 1 to 10 based upon the results of the survey—1 being the best and 10 indicating virtually no fire protection.

The insurance industry uses the ISO Public Protection Classification to determine insurance premiums for many properties within the community, and some firefighters are worried that the city's ratings may jump this year. Jackson currently enjoys an ISO rating of 3. A drop in points could add hundreds of dollars to many homeowner insurance policies.

"The problem is that (Interim Fire Department Chief) Todd (Chandler) doesn't know what it takes to maintain our rating or improve it. ISO sets guidelines, and he doesn't know about reaching it because he was promoted from captain and hasn't had the training. Also, since he's been cutting folks left and right, there's nobody left to tell him. One thing ISO is always hard on us is manpower, and we have a serious manpower shortage," says the source, who chose to speak anonymously for fear of retaliatory demotion or firing.

Though Civil Service protects many Jackson Fire Department positions, at least six former city employees claim Mayor Frank Melton has fired them against Civil Service requirements.

The source claims the interim chief has been working to downsize the department, closing down fire trucks and equipment as well as staff positions, and decreasing the department beyond recommendations for a city the size of Jackson. The source said the ISO people might also be unhappy with the fact that the city's pumper and ladder trucks regularly feature three operators instead of the recommended four.

Former Fire Chief Raymond McNulty said he and his staff had been working to meet ISO guidelines for months before the new mayor fired McNulty in July.

Much of McNulty's top staff has also been shuffled back down the ladder. Deputy Chief of Emergency Service Benson Allen is back to being a captain, a three-rank demotion. Michael Sterling, once division chief of the fire marshal's office, is now captain, a two-rank demotion. Willie Gray, who is deputy chief of training, has received his letters of demotion, reducing him to district chief in training this month. The city claims Gray's job is no longer "justified."

Turner Luttrell Jr., who was assistant fire chief in the last administration, is now a district chief, a four-rank demotion cutting more than $1,000 from his monthly paycheck.

Transfer papers are submitted regularly throughout the department, scattering firefighters from familiar jobs. One firefighter is even planning to argue his transfer. R.D. Simpson, formerly a training officer at the department's training center, is already speaking with an attorney to see if his transfer to a position as captain on a unit was legal. He said that complaints from other firefighters might be forthcoming.

Chandler couldn't say specifically if the city was ready and able to retain its No. 3 rank.

"I'm new to this position so I can't answer that question," Chandler said. "I don't know specifically what they'll be looking for and stuff. This hasn't taken place for two or three years."

McNulty said ISO may consider the fire department's shorthanded combat division a red mark but said he had been working hard for the last five years to bring the department up to standards.

"Hopefully, it won't matter that the top heads won't be able to give any detailed answers to ISO questions. What ISO comes in looking for is documentation, and all the written documentation is there," McNulty said.

Should Jackson insurance rates rise because of an ISO rating drop, the top three JFD officials will not have their homeowner's insurance affected. Assistant Fire Chiefs John Canterbury and Tony Davis, along with interim Chief Chandler, do not reside in the city.

Previous Comments

ID

65086

Comment

I don't know how everyone else feels about this, but I am not up for entertaining an increase in my insurance premium. This is another reason that we should prtition to get a recall vote on this mayor. Chandler appears to admit that he is in unchartered territory. Now we find out that he won't even suffer the increase in insurance premiums? Does he really have the city of Jackson in his best interest or just keeping his big paycheck coming? You mean to tell me that none of the Fire Department leaders live in Jackson? That sucks! We have outsiders determining our livelyhood. Thsi is another brick taken from the wall. Correct me if I'm wrong, but how can shuffling the personnel around within the department make the Fire Department appear to have more people? Wouldn't it take hiring more people to make this work? Are they hiring? It's bad enough when we have a mayor that makes bonehead comments and decisions on television, but now he has began to dig into my pockets. Since he is so willing to "help" people in need, I need some "help" paying my insurance premiums. It's a shame that Frank cannot even see that he needs to admit that he has made some mistakes in putting people in places that they are not ready for.

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-18T20:10:35-06:00

ID

65087

Comment

Thanks, Adam, for another great article! Now, let me get on my soapbox... I know that certain folks wanted to destroy Jackson economically, but physically? We'll be a neo-Chimneyville if somebody doesn't fix this. Maybe each neighborhood should just start their own bucket brigade. Also, I think the fire chief should start living in Jackson. That way, if a massive fire breaks out, the response would be quick since he'll want to save his own house. Okay, putting away the soapbox now. My head hurts...

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-19T11:58:12-06:00

ID

65088

Comment

As I have said before, 'Can someone please explain this to me?' I fail to understand how Melton can continue to support and push for the confirmation of a man who admittedly has no idea 'what' his job is, and even more so, 'how' to do it? I work hard for every dime that is brought into my household and admittedly do not want to pay more for homeowners insurance. I agree with Lance, since Melton is so quick to claim his willingness to help, then allow me to be first in line. He feels that the residents in low-income areas are not living in proper conditions, but ultimately, by his support and placement of a man who is not suitable, nor able to do the job he was hired to do, he is possibly forcing many people to either remain in those circumstances, or even to return to it. I simply cannot afford an increase in my homeowners insurance and when the Fire Chief admit's to having no idea what he is supposed to be doing regarding this fire rating, it is fairly certain that the premiums will be going up! When will Melton wake up? HIS premiums are the only one in connection with the fire dept. leadership apparently that will go up. My complaint since the beginning has been that dept. heads should live within the city limits of Jackson! So now, if the premiums go up, the fire chief has no vested interest as it does not effect him financially! I kid you not, when I say that while I was out at Home Depot, I purchased an additional fire extinguisher for my home - I have no belief in the fire dept. to prevent my home from burning to the ground, although I cannot say that I really blame them at this point. I assume that the morale is very low, due to the many unorthodox changes that are occurring within the fire dept. according to the JFP (thank you for keeping us informed) so reality IS - why should they do their job correctly - it is apparent that starting as high as the fire chief, that there is NO LEADERSHIP so essentially, Why Bother? I have already made the decision that as soon as possible I will be moving out of the City of Jackson - I see no point in staying in a location for 3.5 more years with no leadership, adequate fire protection, and alarming crime increases - it is sad really, but apparently the only person that I can depend on in this city is ME to ensure that my children are raised in an enviornment that is conductive for positive action!

Author

Katie D

Date

2006-01-19T20:26:02-06:00

ID

65089

Comment

OK "Just me," this is an article by Adam Lynch, who has never worked for the fire department. Your comments are being deleted because there is no way to substantiate them. If you would like to call Mr. Lynch and identify yourself, he will gladly talk to you on background about the information you have. Otherwise, this forum is not for axe-grinding.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T11:09:47-06:00

ID

65090

Comment

It seems that some one wants to take up for Mcnulty and his past crew. The ISO was suppose to come in in 2002 but McNulty has put it off. The shortage of firefighters and equipment did not occur in the last six months. GO Figure. Whose fault is that. As far as Mr. Lynch writing the article well good job on his part. His source did not reveal much turthful info. I guess it was OK for them to GRIND the AXE. I will make it a point to call Mr. Lynch Next week. Maybe Mr. Lynch should try and talk to some command staff members himself and find out the truth.

Author

Just me

Date

2006-01-20T17:09:28-06:00

ID

65091

Comment

You're right, Just me, Adam goes around trying not to talk to the leaders of the city. Right-o. Or perhaps could it be that leaders do not return phone calls, hoping that important stories will not be done? Any command staff member of the Fire Department is welcome to call the JFP any time -- 362.6121 -- and I encourage everyone with the city to start returning phone calls. The stories will get done regardless, so y'all might try to get your voice in there, too. Just, I will say again that you are anonymously posting unsubstantiated material. Such postings will not stay up on this site. If you have something to say, call Adam, identify yourself and provide the information and material to back it up. You can get your say like anyone else -- but in an ethical way in which we know who you are (whether or not we publish your name). So I encourage you to choose the right way here, instead of posting anonymous attacks that don't mean a hill of beans with substantiation.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T17:39:28-06:00

ID

65092

Comment

A lot of people are not able to identify themselves because they fear retribution. Not everything you publish for "facts" are 100% factual. Just Me makes a good point by pointing out the acting chief is not totally responsible for where the Fire Department is since the acting chief has only been in charge for six months. I do not agree with the manner Melton has conducted himself by demoting employees who have been there working their way slowly up the ladder for years; they deserve better treatment than they are getting; but maybe some of these folks are seeking revenge in the only way they know how by contacting your reporter.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-20T18:00:53-06:00

ID

65093

Comment

Actually, realtime, they must identify themselves *to us* in order for us to confirm the information before we print it. So, no, Just Me isn't making a good point by posting unsubstantiated allegations. However, I have already said that he/she is welcome to talk to us and provide information that we can then follow up on and confirm. We would like him/her to do that, so that we can continue to unfold this story as it's very important. As for "seeking revenge"—maybe they are, and maybe they are legitimate whistleblowers who are concerned about things like our fire-safety rating and insurance rates in the city. Maybe they actually live in the city. Maybe all those things are true. It's facts that matter. Speaking of, if you're alleging that there are unfactual points here, please say what they are so we can talk about it. Otherwise, keep empty allegations to yourself. They're useless. Also, I don't think the point is that the acting chief is "totally responsible" for "where the Fire Department is." I think the point is that the acting chief needs to be on top of what is happening and what needs to happen to ensure our ISO rating is in good shape. Does the following quote from the acting chief truly inspire confidence that he's doing a great job as CHIEF: “I’m new to this position so I can’t answer that question,” Chandler said. “I don’t know specifically what they’ll be looking for and stuff. This hasn’t taken place for two or three years.” Shouldn't he know "what they’ll be looking for and stuff"? Specifically? I'm just not feeling that folks like fire chiefs and police chiefs need a year-long honeymoon in order to get up to speed on public-safety trivia. You?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T18:17:38-06:00

ID

65094

Comment

I understand that the Fire Chief invited Adam to his office on the day the article came out. I have been told that the invitation is open at any time. They will have all the documentation needed to support the any true facts that you might need for your story.

Author

Just me

Date

2006-01-20T18:33:52-06:00

ID

65095

Comment

Actually, Bob Hickingbottom called me that day and asked if the "command staff" could invite Adam to speak to the command staff. I told him yes, that we'd love that, and gave him Adam's cell phone number. Last I heard, no one had set up an appointment with Adam yet. Feel free to tell your buddies that they are welcome to do that. It's offensive and an outright lie, Just me, to come on here and say that Adam somehow doesn't want to meet with the command staff. I am simply not going to allow you to anonymously defame my reporter's character in such a way. That shows how naive you are about who Adam Lynch is. If someone wants to meet with Adam, they need to call him directly, set up an appointment that he can make, and meet with him -- not send cowardly attack dogs around to try to make him look bad. This reminds me of the attack dogs sent onto talk radio and local Melton blogs to try to defame my reputation by implying, or saying outright, that I was working for Mayor Johnson because I dared to report facts about Mr. Melton. Otherwise, Just Me, you're starting to sound like you have an agenda of your own. Why don't you simply reveal yourself and post what you want to say. If you're so tight with the "command staff" that you're telling me what you think they did yesterday and did not do, it does not sound like you're in danger of getting canned for "speaking the truth." But, I suggest you get your facts straight before you start your spin doctoring in these parts.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T19:01:24-06:00

ID

65096

Comment

Just me, as a citizen who lives and pays taxes in Jackson I could care less "whose fault" it is that our ISO rating could go down. If this story came out while Johnson was still in office, I would be equally outraged. This is going to hurt everyone if our insurance goes up. Part of the job of a new administration is to fix those things not going well and improve on those that are. Too bad we are not getting very much of either. Again, more people then not hold the Fire Dept in high regard in Jackson. This back and forth in the paper and blame game between the "old" and "new" administration is getting ridiculous. Just help fix whatever is wrong, and accept the fact that the citizens deserve the best and most factual news available. Not to mention the best emergency services available; of which I am thankful for the thankless job you do, despite who has dropped the ball on this.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-01-20T19:31:51-06:00

ID

65097

Comment

Well Ladd I really dont have that type of bond with the command staff and also have no personal agenda. I just feel that I should be able to speak freely just as much as the rest of the posters on here. Just because I may speak in Defense of the command staff does not make me a bad or untruthful person. I can only speak on the bits and pieces of what I hear through out the department. As far as Bob I am not sure who that is. Although I have heard his name.

Author

Just me

Date

2006-01-20T19:35:45-06:00

ID

65098

Comment

The issue, Just Me, is not whether you speak in defense of the command staff or whether you're a bad/untruthful person. The issue is whether you post negative claims about other people anonymously. Having left a few boards that were destroyed by moderators' willingness to tolerate this sort of foolishness, I know why this policy exists and support it 100%. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-01-20T20:08:56-06:00

ID

65099

Comment

Right, Just Me, you can speak your opinion -- but what you (or anyone else) is not welcome to do is to mischaracterize others. I'm curious about how you knew that Bob was trying to set up a meeting between the command staff and Adam, anyway. You told you the chief had called Adam anyway? If you're going to accuse Adam of refusing a meeting (which did not happen), you oughta me man (or woman) enough to tell you who is spreading mistruths about my reporter. That's what I would call "speaking freely." And you might want to confirm rumors before you spread them -- which seems to be your overwhelming problem on here. You're making statements that you do not know whether they are true or not (like the chief-Adam thing). That none of us get to do about other people.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T20:24:21-06:00

ID

65100

Comment

I just thought of something! Just me, you saidd that McNulty's crew put off the ISO's coming since 2002. I read earlier that the ISO only comes in every ten years with the last visit being 1995. Now by my math last year 2005 should have been the year for our review, not 2002. Also you said that the chief is not totally responsible, why not? He is the chief. He makes the decisions. He makes the big bucks. He is the one that the mayor picked to "lead" the department. Does he not believe in himself? Just me, in one of your previous comments you made reference to being a member of the union. Chandler is a member of the union. Doesn't he talk to you all? How can you all be such a tight group and have so many things that are secret from each other? Just me, I believe that you are a firefighter. I believe that you know more (or think that you do) than you are letting on. Mayby that is why even you yourself use a screen name. Mayby you also fear retribution. This whole issue is about the citizens of Jackson looking at the possibility of paying higher insurance premiums and having adequate fire protection. I wonder how you know so much about McNulty's command staff and also know so much about Chandler's command staff. If you know so much about the things that McNulty did not do, why did you wait until now to say something? Chandler said that he was "new to the position". How long is he going to be "new"? If something good happened for the department, will he give credit to someone because he is "new"? Our mayor, the one that appointed Chandler and many others dosen't refer to himself as "new" anymore, but then he never did. Mayby the mayor should look for people that can hit the ground running and not be so "new" because it looks like it might be really expensive for the citizens to have a "new" fire chief. Finally, what are YOUR thoughts about the fire chief not living in the city? I read that he (Chandler) once said that he meets the residency requirements which means anywhere in Hinds county but why does he not want to live in a place where he is in charge? Do you, Just me, believe that he can really give this job his undived attention, or will his heart be where he hangs his hat?

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-21T06:04:59-06:00

ID

65101

Comment

Yes, the new Chief should be aware of what the standards are but the old chief should have been working on this also. There should have been a smoother transition between the old and new appointees. Incidentally, all mayors appoint new directors, it is just a question of how professionally this is done. The point is was trying to make is that "Just Me" may be in a position to be giving you facts. And if you want to run an honest blog you should welcome different opinions. I applaud Mr. Adams for trying to get to the bottom of this, but just because it is published in the Jackson Free Press (or the Clarion Ledger) does not make it so, even if a whistle blower identifies themselves to you. They may not have all of the facts.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-01-21T14:29:41-06:00

ID

65102

Comment

Hello All, I would like to say that I am a property owner in Jackson and because of this discussion felt a little concerned about the ISO rating, as well as the rest on here do no want my rates going up either. I spoke with Chief Davis ( Chief of Adminstration ) today and he stated that the last ISO rating was in 1992 and is now two years over due. The command staff has been working very hard for the past six months trying to get everything ready. Some of the concerns as I stated earlier are shortages in man power and equipment being outdated. **Mr. Ladd** Chief Davis said that they would love to talk to your reporter in person and not by phone he feels that input from your readers is important and appreciates thier comments. I showed him the posts on here. He said the he can be reached at 601-960-1057 and would gladly sit down to discuss this matter. If you wish you may contact me, just send me a email on where and when to call you. THANKS

Author

Just me

Date

2006-01-24T14:04:52-06:00

ID

65103

Comment

Hey Mr. Ladd ask "chief" Davis if our manpower is so short why assign firefighters to the mayor's office.

Author

dawgdaddy

Date

2006-01-24T21:31:55-06:00

ID

65104

Comment

Just me, I'm not a mister, but I'll pass along your message to Adam anyway. I did confirm that the fire chief did not call him last week. Hopefully, they will get it worked out soon and can sit down and talk. It's up to Adam to get that scheduled, so that the command chief doesn't continue to see the need to ask anonymous bloggers to post vague, and half true, messages on their behalf on this site. It seems an odd way to communicate with the public. Again, to all of you, Adam is available to speak with you directly. Please get in touch with him at the JFP at 601.362.6121, or at adam at jacksonfreepress dotcom. Thanks.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-25T00:40:44-06:00

ID

65105

Comment

Ladd, I am not posting on behalf of the command staff. I am posting just as the rest of the citizens on here. So tell me what have I posted that you belive to be untrue, I can only state what I hear and what I believe to be true. Is it untrue that the last ISO inspection was in 1992 ? Is it untrue that we are understaffed and have been understaffed for the past eight years? In the past three years Mcnulty only hired about 30 firefighters that is why we are about 90 short. I guess your personal anonymous source didnt tell you that.

Author

Just me

Date

2006-01-25T09:42:12-06:00

ID

65106

Comment

Just me, I really don't spend a lot of time arguing with anonymous posters. However, I will say that your posts are all over the map so far. You informed us that the chief had called Adam who, seemingly, refused to meet with him—which was not true. That indicates you were speaking on behalf of the command staff to even say such a thing in public. Otherwise, you are posting things again that need to be presented directly to our reporter in order to be confirmed. I am suspending your account. This is not a forum for anonymous accusations, against my reporter or anyone else. Again, you are more than welcome to call Adam and provide him information that he can then confirm and print as facts. But you're not going to use this forum in the way that you're trying to use it. I can see what you're doing.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-25T11:40:36-06:00

ID

65107

Comment

I applaud you Ladd for your patience with this issue. I only am concerned about my taxes and fire protection. I, along with many other people have friends on the Fire Department, Police Department, and etc. We are not trying to get into the blame game. We just want things better for all of the citizens. I hope that this will keep all of us that are concerned focused on the issues that are printed in this paper. It is so hard to find something to believe in. The JFP has not lied to us yet. I hope that we pass this test or whatever it is that the Fire Department has to do so that we will not have to pay higher premiums. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it crosses the line when we use this type of forum to get personal.

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-25T19:55:53-06:00

ID

65108

Comment

Well looks like a lot of diffrent point of views in here. Up in the story it states that the Chief is shutting down equipment which is true in some aspect but the equipment he shut down will not effect our ISO rating, In fact I have heard that we will be having a new pumper put in operation which will help our fire rating. It also states in the story about man power on the units. We have been running three on most of these units for the past six to eight years. This has been a big problem for years. Now that its is past time to get rated its not a whole lot that can be done because it takes time to do the hiring process the process is to long to talk about in here. I am confident that our rates should not go up because of this unless the insurance companies use this for a cop out to recoup losses from Katrina. Our man power and staffing has not changed that much since 1992.

Author

caveman

Date

2006-01-26T08:56:12-06:00

ID

65109

Comment

The Jackson Advocate had an article on some of the issues listed in here. Looks to be pretty good to me

Author

caveman

Date

2006-01-26T17:02:56-06:00

ID

65110

Comment

I hope you're right, caveman. But I am still concerned by this quote above from our interim chief: “I’m new to this position so I can’t answer that question,” Chandler said. “I don’t know specifically what they’ll be looking for and stuff. This hasn’t taken place for two or three years.” I'm thinking it should be his job to know a bit more about this, or at least be able to instill more confidence when questioned about very basic safety (and financial) concerns.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-27T00:54:12-06:00

ID

65111

Comment

I agree. I put a certain amount of stock in the JA, but I can't get past the unfortunate nature of the interim's response. I mean, I'd only have to retool this slightly to make it into faux a Monty Python skit: "So, you're the new fire chief?" "Well, I, uh--I suppose so." "You suppose?" "Well, I'm new to the position, so I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing." "Ah, I see. First day, is it?" "Well, no. Actually, I've been here for six months." "Six months?! Well, what have you been doing for all this time?" "I don't really feel qualified to answer that question. I'm new to the position." Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-01-27T01:51:28-06:00

ID

65112

Comment

I don't think that the JA or Ward 3 representative will ever say anything against any of the mayor's appointees. This is where we hear of all of the positive attributes of these department head selections. If we fail this inspection will they ( JA & Ward 3 man) have any comments? Everyone has something good about them, but we need ready-2-go professionals here. Former Frie Chief McNulty stated that we should pass this insurance test. I sincerely hope that we do. However, one must wonder that if we do pass, who really prepared us? The current chief or the former?

Author

lance

Date

2006-01-27T17:55:58-06:00