Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement.
The City of Jackson and the Jackson Fire Department acknowledge the recent change in our Public Protection Classification rating from Class 3 to Class 4 and recognize residents’ concerns about what this means for our community. This adjustment is based on a range of factors evaluated during the routine assessment process, including fire department capabilities, emergency response infrastructure, and water system performance, with a primary factor being insufficient water pressure in parts of the city. Adequate and reliable water pressure is critical to effective firefighting operations, and deficiencies in this area directly impact the overall rating and, in turn, may result in some Jackson residents and property owners experiencing increases in their property insurance premiums, as insurers often use fire ratings to help determine risk and pricing.
It is important to note that the City of Jackson does not operate or control the water system; water service, including system pressure, is managed by JXN Water, the federally appointed third-party authority responsible for the city’s water infrastructure, and ensuring consistent and adequate water pressure across the system falls under their jurisdiction.
At the same time, the current rating reflects that the Jackson Fire Department has made meaningful strides in staffing, training, and operations under the Horhn Administration: today, the department has 255 firefighters on staff, with approximately 85 firefighters assigned per shift to protect neighborhoods across the city, and since July 2025, under Mayor Horhn’s leadership, the City has hired 29 firefighters, demonstrating a commitment to rebuilding and stabilizing the department’s ranks. These staffing gains build on broader operational improvements, including enhanced training, expanded inspections, updated codes, and modernized equipment testing and record-keeping, undertaken in direct response to state evaluations.
The challenges reflected in the current rating did not arise overnight; however, as recent data and progress updates show, this Administration has significantly turned the ship around and is moving aggressively to close remaining gaps. The Mississippi State Rating Bureau itself acknowledged that, absent the corrective steps taken by March 2026, Jackson’s classification would have retrogressed to a Class 5 instead of a Class 4, and formally commended Chief RaSean Thomas and his team for their efforts and cooperation. The City remains committed to working with all relevant partners, including JXN Water and the Mississippi State Rating Bureau, to support improvements that protect public safety, strengthen emergency response capabilities, and position Jackson for a stronger rating in future reviews.
28 comments:
Bush league Mayor.
I’m so happy I don’t live in Jackson. Where I live has an excellent fire rating and fire department. Plus the water is safe to drink
It's always someone else's fault. That's why Jackson will never change.
🤯
"The City of Jackson does not operate or control the water system." True statement. Context: The City of Jackson proved itself incapable of operating its water system, leading to its complete failure on a number of occasions. I'm sure that the fact that they have on less ladder truck doesn't help, although that probably happened after the evaluation was done.
Another day in Jackson, another opportunity for the mayor to pass the blame to 'the man.'
They are still short roughly 20 firefighters per shift. That was more to do with the dropping than anything.
The City of Jackson is still trying to find the guy who did this. If you know anything, just call 311.
9:47 There are few cities in Mississippi with a fire rating better than ‘4’ and the water in Jackson is safe to drink. You shouldn’t comment on things you know nothing about.
@9:47 you go rockstar! It’s all about YOU! Thanks for the update.
Are we sure the new mayor is not the previous mayor in disguise?
I feel like a fool for promoting this mayor. John has disappointed me the past two days more than I can say!
His audience is the unwashed/uneducated masses in Jackistan. They will believe anything bloviated by a fellow member of the culture.
At least JXN water didn't allow a $1,250,000 ladder truck burn up.
AND WHO allowed the fire department to fall apart, and have no clue of fire hydrant inventory or operational capabilities? and WHO allowed our water system to fail over and over, and lose pressure throughout the city? There is only one correct answer: THE CITY of JACKSON (and it's routinely elected incompetent and unqualified council)
It is interesting to ponder that prior to the downgrade Jackson had a 3 rating, which was better than any nearby city. A 4 rating seems to be what most of them have except Brandon seems reluctant to disclose their rating.
Jackson is a 0% accountability 100% blame someone else zone.
If not Sista Rukia is writing his press releases.
Typical of Jackson City government, appears that Hohrn is no different than Chockwe, Tony or Harvey - want to point fingers elsewhere in an attempt to cover up the City's failure to do their job.
According to the Rating Bureau ED, Lee Harrel: "JFD was cited, in part, for a lack of staffing and for a lack of records regarding on-site training and equipment maintenance." Didn't see this little minor issue in Hohrn's report while he tries to blame JxnWater for the downgrade.
Yes, there is a lack of pressure at some hydrants - not nearly as much today as were prior to 3 years ago; at least now somebody is checking the hydrants, repairing those that were left to decay; and restoring pressure. Prior to JxnWater, the city had no idea how many fire hydrants there were in the city or where they were, much less if they worked or even had water service. The fact that all 10,000 of them have not been restored, upgraded, or even located seems in our Mayor's eyes to be the fault of JxnWater, not the failure of decades of no leadership.
@11:10 at least my water bill isn’t screwed up like Jackson’s water bill
If Ted is to be believed, pressure should be much better than when he took over. With some known exceptions. Never been good pressure in parts of west and south Jackson due to higher elevations. If pressure was the primary factor, the rating should have been 4 or worse years ago!!!
They didn't say water pressure was the
primary factor. The mayor made that up to deflect from him not doing his job.
Mayor Horhn, you have now graduated to the Lumumba class and all the rest. What a waste.
His honor is now including "right?" after every sentence.
Right?
Who are the people what won't be blamed for nothing? The Ripper only had it half right.
Chokee was so bad that everyone thought Horn was going to do special. Problem is no one stopped to realize he is an incompetent blabber mouth who has spent his career as a legislator with no ability to manage anything. And it is showing.
Maybe he could hire Sista Rukia as an advisor. Right?
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