With the establishment of the Lee County Emergency Services Department in October, an operational plan is in place that will substantially reduce the fire insurance rates in the Greater Shannon and Greater Verona fire districts.

Lee County Board of Supervisors President Barry Parker and Emergency Services Director Mark Falanagan said the greater Shannon district protection class with drop from class 10 to class eight, while the greater Verona district protection class will drop from class 10 to class seven. “The homeowners in these areas should see a noticeable reduction in their premiums. They may see as much as a 30 percent reduction,” the Lee County officials noted. 

“We are continuing to work toward lower protection classes for other parts of the county,” they said.  

While the actual fire districts remain the same, and the volunteer fire departments are still a part of the communities, two emergency strike teams of paid professionals, strategically located in the county, will also respond to all emergency calls in the county.