Gastonia’s commitment to fire protection has elevated the city to an even higher pedestal in the eyes of the experts.
State leaders this month bumped the Gastonia Fire Department up another notch in assessing how well it is positioned to fight and prevent fires across the area. The boost stands to pay dividends for businesses within the city, likely lowering insurance premiums beginning this summer.
Residential property owners already have the lowest premiums possible, thanks to the department’s high rating.
“Having a fire service background ... this is huge,” said Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid, a former Gastonia and Charlotte firefighter. “You will not know how huge it is until you see the difference you pay for mortgage insurance, rental insurance, as well as the businesses in this city.”