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West Memphis Fire Department re-certified ISO Class 1; city schedules recreation/aquatic-center groundbreaking
Summary
The West Memphis Fire Department announced it had achieved ISO Class 1 re-certification, credited joint work by fire, utilities and 911 dispatch, and described operational improvements. Councilwoman Lorraine Muhammad announced a March 18 groundbreaking for a new aquatics and recreation center at Rodney Park, which she said is slightly under budget.
West Memphis officials announced a successful re-certification of the West Memphis Fire Department as ISO Class 1 during the Feb. 19 council meeting, placing the department among the top-rated fire services nationally.
Chief Elely told the council the accreditation reflects a year-long review by ISO and credited coordinated efforts across the fire department, utilities and 911 dispatch. He described technical benchmarks required for Class 1 — including apparatus readiness, reserve vehicles, hydrant flow and response-time standards (a target of roughly five minutes, 20 seconds to first apparatus and four minutes to a house fire) — and thanked utility staff and 911 leadership for their roles in testing and repair work that improved hydrant flow and system reliability.
Chief May outlined operational adjustments the department made in response to ISO review, including station-based apparatus deployment (two trucks at headquarters), enhanced fire marshal inspections of commercial buildings and a training facility at Station 2 that factored into grading. Chief May said the city changed dispatch arrangements to county 911 and credited Darinique Sims at the county level for improved coordination.
Separately, Councilwoman Lorraine Muhammad announced an official groundbreaking for a new aquatics and recreation center at Rodney Park on March 18, describing the project scope — five gyms, a walking trail, exercise room, meeting rooms and concession facilities — and reporting the project is "just a tad bit under budget." She invited the public to attend the ceremony.
Taken together, the ISO re-certification and the planned recreation facility reflect investments city leaders say will improve public safety and community amenities. Council members asked staff to place a rescue recognition on a future agenda tied to operational changes noted by chiefs.
