For Immediate Release from The City Of Carrollton:
The City of Carrollton Fire Department has received the Insurance Services Office (ISO) top rating of Class 1. This rating has been achieved by less than 1/4 of 1% of Fire Departments Nationwide and is one of only 13 in Georgia. The ISO currently evaluates over 50,000 Fire Departments Nationwide with only 186 earning the Class 1 Rating. This rating reflects the hard work and dedication of all the Carrollton Firefighters and their commitment to save lives and property. The new Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating will become effective October 1, 2016.
Fire Departments across the Nation are rated by the ISO to determine a PPC for individual Cities or Counties. This rating is published by the ISO and used by Insurance Companies to determine insurance rates. The ISO Schedule develops a PPC number on a relative scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the very best and 10 representing less than minimum recognized fire protection. Most U.S. Insurers of Homes and Business Property use the PPC in calculating premiums. In general, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC.
When the ISO evaluates a Fire Departments capabilities it uses a system called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) which employs nationally accepted standards developed by such organizations as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International. The FSRS considers 3 main areas of a community’s fire suppression capabilities including Emergency Communications (911 Call Center), the Fire Department, and Water Supply. In addition, it includes a Community Risk Reduction section that recognizes community efforts to reduce losses through fire prevention, public fire safety education and fire investigation.
Key elements considered when evaluating a Fire Department include Response Capabilities (Deployment Analysis) which includes adequate staffing of Fire Service Personnel on Engine Crews and Ladder Companies, Fire Station Distribution (Location and Coverage), Appropriate Apparatus and Equipment, Training, Water Supplies, Organizational Structure, Communications and Building/Fire Prevention Codes and their enforcement.
The Fire Department’s improved PPC Classification is a reflection of the City of Carrollton’s commitment to provide quality Public Safety Services to the citizens of Carrollton.
Mayor Hollingsworth and the City Council congratulate the Carrollton Fire Department on the exceptional quality of their fire service.
Mayor Hollingsworth stated, “This shows a long term commitment to excellence on the part of our Fire Department and support departments. An ISO Class 1 rating will save our residents significant money on their home owners insurance. It will result in an even greater savings to our commercial businesses and our industries. This is one more reason for business owners to locate in the City of Carrollton. I want to personally thank Chief Jimmy Bearden, Captains Jim Messer, Tim Spratlin, and Ken Thompson, and all of the Fire Department Personnel who have worked so hard through the years to achieve this great honor. I want to further thank the supporting departments of the water system headed by Tony Richardson, Connie Nelms, and Mike Green.”
Mayor Hollingsworth further stated, “I am very proud of this great city. People like Jimmy Bearden and the Fire Department, make my job easy. I am constantly receiving compliments on this department. Thank you all for a job very well done.”
