ISO Rating

Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) provides information to insurance companies about fire protection in communities. ISO collects information on a community's public fire protection and analyzes the data using the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). They then assign a Public Protection Classification from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents the best public protection, and Class 10 indicates no recognized protection. This information is used by the insurance companies in determining premiums for homeowners fire insurance.

A variety of areas are examined when ISO conducts their survey. They look at the community's water supply, dispatch (communications) center, and fire department. Each entity receives a rating, and in the end those ratings are considered together to determine the final Public Protection Classification. A substantial savings can be obtained by home-owners whose insurance provider uses the Insurance Service Office rates.An example is shown below:

ESTIMATED HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE
WITH DIFFERENT ISO/PCC RATINGS

Prior to 1998, Pennfield Township’s ISO rating was at the lowest classification. In 1998, ISO conducted its survey and currently Pennfield Township has a public fire rating varying between 5 and 8, dependent upon a residence being located within five (5) miles of a fire station.This new rating was mainly due to the implementation of the water system. The lack of an aerial truck and a rescue squad without pumping capabilities was at our detriment. However, our rating will improve further with the addition of our new aerial truck and rescue squad that will be in service later this year.