Staff Reports
An analysis of the structural fire protection delivery system for the Columbus Fire Department has resulted in an improved public protection classification rating for the community. The rating improved from Class 4 to Class 3.
The Columbus Fire Department participated in an Insurance Service Organization (ISO)/Public Protection Classification (PPC) field survey. ISO evaluated three major areas during its visit to Columbus: emergency communications, fire department and water supply.
ISO collects information about municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of the communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification, from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.
Columbus Fire Department’s PCC rating improvement placed the department in the top 10 percent of fire departments nationwide, and the top 4 percent of fire departments statewide.
“Achieving this benchmark was a collaborative effort by the Columbus City Utilities, Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center and the Columbus Fire Department,” Columbus Fire Chief Mike Compton said. “What the rating really reflects is the city’s dedication toward public safety.”
A large number of U.S. insurers of homes and business property use ISO’s Public Protection Classifications 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, assuming all other factors are equal.
The current ISO Class 3 rating took effect Dec. 1.
