Finishing touches being placed on ‘Fireboat 4’

LAKEMONT — According to Rabun County Fire Service Station Lakemont-Wiley, the finishing touches are being put on their brand new fireboat.

Information released from station four indicated the initial fabrication of the boat was completed. The next step is the installation of the electronics systems, fire pump and graphics.

According to Assistant Chief Justin Upchurch the initial project was acquired by Lake Assault after “Fireboat 4” was retired due to a compliance and regulations issue – “the engine was not pumping enough water to keep the ISO [Insurance Services Office] rating.”

The Insurance Services Office, or ISO for short, provides statistical information and advisory services to insurance companies and evaluates criteria on fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of individual communities or fire protection areas. The schedule measures the major elements of a community’s fire protection system and develops a numerical grading called a Public Protection Classification (PPC).

As a means to keep ISO regulations in order, the Lake Rabun Association raised a portion of the money and collaborated with Rabun County Fire Services to hire Lake Assault in constructing the new fireboat.

The new boat will have military grade features, such as an on-shore docking feature, as well as a drop-down gate that will aid in making the process easier for loading the hurt and injured onboard. The primary function of the vessel will be to do rescue missions as well as dive operations.