More than 5,600 rural properties in the Township of Langley will receive enhanced fire protection service and significant insurance savings, thanks to the Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation.

This year, Langley Township's Fire Department took on the third and final phase of testing for the Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) Accreditation in southeast Langley. Through a demanding documentation and training process, crews proved they can quickly move and maintain an effective water supply to fires in remote rural areas not serviced by hydrants.

FUS Accreditation was received for the Township's southwest area last year, and this spring, northeast Langley was accredited.

"This was a massive undertaking that involved the entire fire department. Now that the process is complete, residents in most rural areas will benefit and see substantial insurance savings," said assistant fire Chief Pat Walker.

Thanks to the accreditation, residential property owners may see their insurance premiums drop by up to 50 per cent, a savings of hundreds - even thousands - of dollars.

To be accredited by the FUS, a fire department must prove it can provide an alternative water supply and delivery system that can establish and maintain a flow of 900 litres per minute within five minutes of a fire engine arriving on scene, and sustained for two hours.

The enhanced fire service covers as much of the rural Township as possible, although some properties won't meet the FUS Accreditation criteria of being within eight kilometres of a fire hall and five kilometres of a fire hydrant.