MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF

The Rock Ridge Fire Department is dedicated to providing life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation.  We are committed to ensuring that our firefighters have the right equipment and tools to handle any emergency. Here at Rock Ridge, we realize how important your tax dollars are. We strive to be good patrons of your money and to provide the highest quality emergency services. Our goal is to provide our citizens with economical fire protection that passes cost savings on to our property owners. By effectively managing our tax district, fundraising, and grant writing, we are accomplishing our goal. In fact, despite inflation and budget cuts, the Rock Ridge Fire Department has not increased tax rates on its citizens in 15 years! The National Volunteer Fire Council Model Calculator estimates that RRFD saves our district a total annual volunteer savings of almost three million dollars ($2,935,600). 

By achieving a Public Protection Classification rating that is two points better than the minimum standard, property owners are the beneficiaries of significant fire insurance savings. For example, if you own a stick-built home worth $100,000 you should pay $301 less in fire insurance premiums per year living in our fire district than if you lived in another district that only meets the minimum standard (class 9). Meanwhile you would only pay $.05 per $100 in property tax value towards fire protection, or approximately $50 per year. The effective result is $251 in your pocket each year. 

Today the Rock Ridge Fire department operates 7 emergency apparatus, 1 Scott Mobile Air Station, and a Swede Survival Flashover Simulator. Currently the department consists of 28 firefighters and 5 junior firefighters. Together, they respond to approximately 270 emergency calls annually within the community. With the department’s dedication and commitment, we will continue to protect the lives and property of the Rock Ridge Community. 

- Chief Jimmy Miller