Ledyard — The Gales Ferry fire department is looking for property owners interested in donating land for underground water cisterns for fire suppression.

Cisterns, which would hold between 15,000 and 20,000 gallons, would supplement the water the department brings with them in their tankers.

Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tony Saccone said that areas in Birdland near the Pheasant Run and Partridge Hollow subdivisions, as well as Friar Tuck Drive and Lincoln Drive are of particular interest, but the department would hear proposals to anyone in the area.

The department plans on applying through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program, or STEAP, to pay for the cisterns and installation.

When a fire is reported, the department usually brings around 3,000 gallons of water in its tanker and Ledyard Center comes with an additional 3,000. In major incidents, they call upon aid from surrounding departments in Preston, Uncasville, North Stonington and Groton.

However, more water is always helpful, especially near "target hazards" like the Nathan Lester House on Vinegar Hill Road.

In addition to the added safety, Saccone said, residents would also see the benefit of a potential homeowners insurance discount. For example, when a fire hydrant was placed near his home, he said he received a $150 discount on his homeowners insurance.

Towns are assessed through the Insurance Service Office on their relative fire safety, which includes a home's proximity to fire hydrants and fire stations.

Saccone said currently the town's ISO score is "medium" but could be improved through measures like adding the cisterns.

The department officials said they don't know how much they need from the grant program, but the award limit — $500,000 — far exceeds their needs.

The department is looking for two to four properties between 29 feet by 8 feet, or 56 feet by 8 feet large, with a depth of about 8.5 feet. Nothing of the cisterns would be visible from the surface.

n.lynch@theday.com