The Fallsburg Fire Department (FD) has recently gone from an Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating of 10 to a lower rating of 9.  On August 20, 1997, Fallsburg FD Chief Chris Jobe met with ISO representative Jack Clark and together they inspected the Fallsburg FD equipment, records, and training that had been upgraded over the past few years. As a result the fire district has a new lower ISO rating that will result in savings for the policy owners of this community. Most policy owners will see the change effective January 1998. In other news the fire department has also secured an option for land to build a new fire station. This station is needed to upgrade ISO ratings below 9. An application is going to be made through the Rural Development agency of USDA. Cost sharing is being requested for a waterline extension, fire station building, and 38 hydrants throughout the district. The goal is to get a 7/9 ISO rating that will result in even more savings. 

A recently installed nature trail/outdoor classroom will have the addition of a walk bridge and stairs thanks to the Martin County Conservation District and the building assistance of the Carl Perkins Job Corps carpentry class. Plans based on U.S. Forest Service designs will be used to install a 16 ft span over a ravine that separates two parts of a trail at the Inez Middle School. Myron Evans, Ag Agent, and Bob Blanton, District Conservationist, are assisting with planning and coordination of the outdoor classroom. RC&D assistance includes technical information and coordination of labor.