ISO Rating

ISO (Insurance Services Office) through its PPC (Public Protection Classification) help establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties. Insurance companies need reliable up-to-date information about a community's fire-protection services.

ISO collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data using its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. It then assigns a Public Protection Classification from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary public protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet ISO's minimum criteria. ISO develops a split classification (for example, 5/9). The first class (Class 5 in the example) applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant. The second class (Class 9 in the example) applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a hydrant. ISO generally assigns Class 10 to properties beyond five road miles.

To determine a community's Public Protection Classification, ISO conducts a field survey. Expert ISO staff visit the community to observe and evaluate features of the fire-protection systems. Using a manual called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, ISO objectively evaluates three major areas:

• The fire department
  A review of the fire department accounts for 50% of the total classification. ISO focuses on a fire department's first-alarm response and initial attack to minimize potential loss. Here, ISO reviews such items as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department personnel, and training.

• The water supply
  A review of the water-supply system accounts for 40% of the total classification. ISO reviews the water supply a community uses to determine the adequacy for fire-suppression purposes. It also considers hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants

• Fire alarm and communications systems
  A review of the fire alarm system accounts for 10% of the total classification. The review focuses on the community's facilities and support for handling and dispatching fire alarms.

The rating directly impacts the premiums insurance companies charge for homeowner’s coverage.  The lower the rating, the lower the price for insurance coverage. The Wolfforth Fire & EMS Department and the City of Wolfforth have worked diligently for the last three years to make improvements to the Fire Department and the City’s water system in preparation for requesting an ISO reclassification. ISO reevaluation occurred in October, 2006, and the City has received notification of the new Public Protection Classification rating for Wolfforth. With the recent improvements, Wolfforth has received a rating of Class 2/8B, down from the existing rating of Class 7/10. The new classification took effect on June 1, 2007. Homeowners should notify their insurance carriers so that policies can be adjusted to the classification.

What does all of this mean? This means that if you live within 5 road miles of the Wolfforth Fire & EMS station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant you should contact your insurance carrier to take advantage of the new PPC 2 rating. Additionally, if you live within 5 road miles to the north, east, west, or 10 road miles to the south of the Wolfforth Fire & EMS station, you should contact your insurance carrier to take advantage of new PPC 8B rating.

How does a PPC 2 rating compare up to all other Texas communities? This places Wolfforth among the top 3% of all Texas communities.

How does a PPC 2 rating compare up to all other communities countrywide? This places Wolfforth among the top 1% of all communities nation wide.