By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LUTCHER – The Property Insurance Associations of Louisiana recently granted an improved rating to the town of Lutcher’s Volunteer Fire Department, according to a release from St. James Parish.

A public fire protection classification evaluation of the fire department showed that Lutcher improved over last year from a class five to a class four, said St. James Parish spokesperson Melissa Wilkins. She said the insurance group rates departments on a scale of one to 10, with one being the best and 10 the worst. Lutcher is now the only volunteer fire department with a rating as low as four, Wilkins said.

According to the release, the insurance group’s grading scale evaluates such areas as water supply, communication and the over all performance of the fire department. Based on the survey, the Lutcher fire department showed the most improvement in dispatch communication earning 9.75 out of 10.

The department fielded 73,000 calls in the 2009 calendar year with an average answer time of 98-percent, which is 3 percent higher than the National Fire Protection Association’s requirement of 95.

Wilkins said the new rating, which goes into effect Nov. 9, means that residents and commercial properties within the Lutcher response district can expect a break on property insurance premiums. She said once the new rating is in effect, residents and business owners should contact their insurance agencies to find out the cost difference.

The Lutcher Fire Department consists of about 20 volunteer firefighters led by Fire Chief Jason Amato. The Property Insurance Associations of Louisiana requires each volunteer to complete 12-hours of fire suppression training every calendar year.