DESTIN FIRE PROTECTION RATING

The city of Destin has been informed that its rating for fire protection has dropped, which could cause property insurance rates to rise. The Insurance Services Office says the city is less equipped to fight fires than it was a decade ago because of manpower and water issues. However, Fire Chief Kevin Sasser said the manpower problem has been resolved with the hiring of six new firefighters and that a new Destin Water Users tower under construction will enable the fire department to increase the water pressure, which will help fighting fires. There are also plans to build a third Destin fire station. Sasser said he hopes to have ISO investigators back as early as next year to revisit the state of the department.