The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department is thrilled to share a significant achievement: as of March 1, 2019, our Fire Department has been awarded the ISO (Insurance Services Office) Class 2 public protection classification.
ISO, a reputable third-party agency, conducts comprehensive evaluations encompassing the fire department, water department, and communication systems. Their assessments are standardized on a national scale, ranging from one to ten, with one representing the highest and most exemplary rating. ISO's Public Protection Classification Program (PPC) holds substantial importance in the insurance industry. Many insurance companies across the United States utilize PPC data during their underwriting processes, influencing decisions on business coverage, offered policies, and premium pricing for both personal and commercial property insurance.
Our community's achievement of a Class 2 rating signifies a remarkable milestone. It not only validates the dedication and proficiency of our fire department but also carries tangible benefits for our residents and local businesses. Many insurance providers extend valuable discounts on annual insurance premiums to properties within communities holding a Class 2 rating, thereby contributing to enhanced safety and financial well-being for our community members. We are proud to continue serving and safeguarding our community at the highest level possible.
What does the Class 2 ISO rating mean?
The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) has significantly enhanced its fire protection capabilities, as demonstrated by its improved rating in the Insurance Service Office (ISO) Public Protection Class (PPC) survey. This noteworthy achievement has elevated Bay District VFD’s response area to a Class 2 fire protection rating, a leap from its previous Class 3 status, effective as of March 1, 2019. This advancement not only signifies the department's dedication to superior fire safety and response capabilities but also places Bay District among the elite top 2% of communities in Maryland in terms of fire protection, making it one of only five communities within the state to secure a Class 2 ISO rating. This classification is particularly significant given the comprehensive and rigorous nature of the ISO PPC survey.
The ISO PPC survey is an extensive evaluation conducted to assess the fire suppression capabilities of communities across the United States, with the results having profound implications for the insurance underwriting process. Insurance companies, including the largest ones, utilize PPC information extensively to underwrite and calculate premiums for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The PPC rating system, which assigns a number grade from 1 to 10 across 49,010 communities nationwide—including 267 in Maryland—serves as a benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts. A Class 1 rating signifies an exemplary fire suppression program, while a Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire suppression efforts do not meet ISO's minimum criteria.
The ISO PPC survey evaluates three critical areas of a community’s fire suppression capabilities:
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Emergency Communications: This segment, which can contribute up to 10 points to the overall score, examines the efficiency of the fire department in receiving and dispatching fire alarms. Factors such as the emergency reporting system, the capabilities of the communications center (including the staffing level of telecommunicators), the use of computer-aided dispatch (CAD) facilities, and the methods for notifying firefighters about emergency locations are thoroughly reviewed.
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Fire Department: Contributing up to 50 points to the overall score, this evaluation focuses on the distribution of fire companies across the community, the regular testing of the fire department’s pumps, adherence to NFPA 1901 standards in inventorying engine and ladder company equipment, the training provided to fire company personnel, their response to emergencies, and the maintenance and testing of equipment.
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Water Supply: This area, worth up to 40 points, assesses whether the community has an adequate water supply for fire suppression beyond its daily maximum consumption. The survey examines all components of the water supply system, including fire hydrant inspections, flow testing frequency, and the strategic placement of fire hydrants.
Significantly, Bay District VFD has shown remarkable improvements in all three critical areas since the last survey conducted in 1996. This progression not only underscores the department's commitment to enhancing its fire protection services but also positively impacts the community by potentially leading to lower insurance premiums due to reduced risk. The ISO PPC survey's comprehensive evaluation framework ensures that communities are assessed against nationally recognized standards, making the Bay District VFD’s achievement a clear indication of its high level of preparedness and dedication to the safety of the community it serves.
Courtesy of www.isomitigation.com
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