In response to a request for assistance from Rocky Top Fire Chief Anthony Braden, MTAS conducted a review of the city’s 2021 ISO evaluation in preparation for an anticipated Public Protection Classification review estimated to occur in the 2024 or 2025 calendar years. MTAS reviewed Rocky Top’s Public Protection Classification Summary Report, prepared by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) dated August 2021, against the current (2012/2013) edition of the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, and reviewed the fire protection area. This report includes recommendations based upon the observations and comparisons made during the review.

This is an update of an MTAS study conducted July of 2002.

This document includes: information on EVOC timed evaluations and station skill sheets for the practical, fire apparatus driver/operator; forms to request to qualify and to certify as a driver trainee; a driver trainee checklist and fire apparatus operator practical checklist; certification for out-of-grade pay; and request for upgrade pay.

This study reviews the organization and operation of the City of Columbia's building and property maintenance division.

An ordinance and permit forms for operating taxicabs.

MTAS was asked whether the mayor is precluded from doing landscaping work for private property owners on private property located within the town as part of the mayor's outside employment.

In 2015, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) conducted its fourth Fire Service Needs Assessment Survey, having conducted previous surveys in 2001, 2005, and 2010. Even though the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the NFPA have conducted several national level fire services needs assessments, there had never been a comprehensive needs assessment conducted that focused solely on the Tennessee fire service until 2013. Based on individual fire studies conducted by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), these departments are keenly aware that Tennessee fire services have extensive needs in many areas, especially in smaller communities, but there is a lack of quantifiable data on these needs. The purpose of this survey was to collect reliable data on the needs of Tennessee fire departments as a whole.

Additionally, the response rate for Tennessee in national surveys has been low. In 2010 and 2015, for example, the NFPA surveyed 247 and 427 respectively of the 723 fire departments in Tennessee and of the departments surveyed only 80 and 81 fire departments responded, respectively. MTAS does not consider either of these examples a representative picture of the state’s fire service. To get a better sample of data, MTAS theorized that a survey of Tennessee fire departments by a Tennessee organization, coupled with providing a way for participants to respond both electronically and manually, would result in an improved response rate. In fact, the response rate to MTAS’ Tennessee Fire Needs Assessment Survey (TFNAS) in 2013 and 2020 was 23 percent and 28 percent respectively, which greatly exceeds the response rate to the national survey in both 2010 and 2015 (11 and 19 percent respectively).

This survey’s major goal is to identify gaps or the needs of the Tennessee fire service by comparing what departments have, regarding efficient and effective firefighting practices, against consensus standards, government regulations, and other nationally recognized guidance.

MTAS was requested to look at solid waste collection in the Memphis downtown area.

The Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) was requested to perform a fee study for parks and recreation activities. The purpose of the study was to analyze current revenues and expenditures including associated facility and program fees and to identify opportunities for adjustments to reduce differences in revenue and expenditures. There are a wide variety of recommendations contained in this report. It is believed that these suggested improvements will greatly enhance the parks and recreation in Signal Mountain. They will build on the positive efforts of the many people who contribute to making Signal Mountain an attractive place to live, work and play.

The consequences of insufficient fire flows are significant, and include increased risk to trapped occupants in rescue operations, a reduced ability to extinguish the fire, an increase in property damage, and increased risk to firefighters. An option for your community is passing an ordinance requiring residential fire sprinklers. The revised Insurance Services Office (ISO) Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) takes effect in Tennessee on July 1, 2013. The new ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule has increased fire flow requirements for large homes (homes exceeding 4,800 square feet), but recognizes sprinklers and reduces the needed fire flow (NFF) accordingly.