Your insurance rate can be affected by many different factors. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating is one of those factors. 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 a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). They assign 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 doesn't meet ISO’s minimum criteria.
When ISO develops a single Public Protection Classification (PPC™) for a community, all community properties receive that classification. However, in our community, ISO developed a split classification, which was revised in 2013 to reflect the risk of loss more precisely. The first number refers to the classification of properties within 5 road miles of a fire station and within 1,000 feet of a creditable water supply. The second number, with either the X or Y designation, applies to properties within 5 road miles of the fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a creditable water supply. ISO generally assigns Class 10 to properties beyond 5 road miles.
The Scruggs Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad was awarded, on February 1, 2016, a 4/4Y rating from 5/5Y less than two (2) years ago. An all out effort was made by our Chief, Dempsey Moore, along with our volunteers, to improve the rating for the benefit of our community.
The benefits of the split class designations are: 1) to the fire service, the designations identify enhanced fire suppression capabilities used throughout the fire protection area; 2) to the community, those designations reward a community's fire suppression efforts by showing a more reflective designation; 3) to the individual property owner, the designations offer the potential for decreased property insurance premiums.
In order to obtain this rating the Scruggs team started upgrading their processes and equipment several years ago. Their efforts included over 150 hours of volunteer time to test all the current equipment in use and ensure it is certified; purchasing additional equipment: 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD 4WD Crew Cab ($47,575), LUCAS™ Chest Compression System (tool that standardises chest compressions), Bauer Trailer Compressor ($77,000), re-purpose Utility 10 (Ford F150) for use by the Fire, Rescue and Dive groups
Scruggs membership worked an inordinate amount of hours to train on all the existing and new equipment, installing that equipment where appropriate, and test its operational condition.
Administrative requirements have changed to ensure training records are updated, inventories are kept current, meetings are properly documented (a minimum of 5 meetings per month for some members), and planning sessions are attended internally/externally (mutual aid Fire and EMS departments, Franklin County Public Safety).
Costs, just like at home, continue to rise regarding all aspects of our support structure. We have spent in excess of $90,000 on new equipment, making upgrades to existing vehicles and equipment. To keep pace with new technology, more reliable firefighting and rescue equipment, which in turn provides the community with better service when you need it our cost will continue to rise.
Our volunteer firefighters complete, at a minimum, approximately 200 hours of training and 170 hours for an EMT basic. The typical volunteer generally gives 50-60 hours time a month in order to help protect and keep our community safe.
The benefit of all this information is to provide you with the best possible service that can be provided while helping to reduce your insurance premium. All residents within the Scruggs Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad geographic area should contact their insurance carrier to determine what level of coverage is being provided and insure you are receiving the proper insurance reduction rates where applicable.
