Resident urges council to address low fire‑protection ratings in parts of Central

A Central resident urged the City Council to take action on fire protection and insurance‑rating disparities that affect some neighborhoods, saying the differences increase homeowner insurance costs and that a coordinated city response is needed.

Dwayne Rogers, identified himself as a Central resident and former law enforcement official, gave an extended public comment asking the council to convene a meeting with area fire districts and relevant officials. Rogers said parts of the parish near Central have significantly worse Insurance Services Office (ISO) or equivalent ratings and that those ratings directly affect homeowner insurance premiums.

Rogers said he lives “in the worst area in East Baton Rouge Parish” for fire protection and urged the council to appoint a committee to examine causes and remedies. He described specific consequences for his church and neighborhood, saying recent insurance market changes had forced policy changes. Rogers asked the council to set up a meeting with the chiefs of adjacent fire departments to review the rating findings and possible corrective actions.

Mayor Evans and council members acknowledged the concern and agreed to schedule a meeting with the fire chiefs and other stakeholders. The mayor said the issue involves multiple volunteer and municipal fire organizations that serve Central and that a coordinated review is appropriate; council members said they would follow up on scheduling and invited Rogers to participate.

The council did not adopt any formal policy or allocate funding at the meeting but directed staff to arrange the meeting and to provide any available documentation about ratings and recent actions taken by the fire districts.