Mauldin Fire Department Improves Vital ISO Rating

Mauldin Fire Chief Russell Sapp on Monday said the department has improved its ISO rating to Class 2, a designation that few fire departments in the state and nationwide attain and one that should help lower local homeowner's and business owner's insurance premiums.

Only about 5 percent of fire departments in South Carolina achieve the Class 2 rating. Sapp told Patch that out of more than 600 fire departments in the state, only 33 have attained Class 2 status.

The Insurance Service Office's (ISO) expert staff collects information about the quality of public fire protection in more than 44,000 fire districts across the United States. In each of those fire districts, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification — a number 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. 

In many states, ISO ratings assist insurance companies to determine premiums. The better the rating, the lower the premiums.

The new, improved rating didn't happen by accident, Sapp added. Five years ago a 10-year plan was developed that outlined a strategy to accommodate Mauldin Fire Service Area’s rapid growth, he said. The implementation of that plan has included a $2.3 million investment in the new Station 3,  addition of a $320,000 engine and $312,000 in new staff for the station, which opened last February.  

Despite all these achievements, Sapp said he still sees room for improvement. His plans for the future include a ladder truck, new accountability system for each truck, and additional staff.

“This demonstrates a better capability of our fire department to protect lives and property," said Mayor Dennis Raines. "The opportunity for reduced property insurance premiums as a result of the improved rating represent a return on the investment our citizens have made in fire suppression service.”

Public Safety Committee Chairman and City Council member Bob Cook added the new status is a “tremendous accomplishment for the community” and noted the city's important partnership with Greenville County in serving the entire fire-service area. The city is approximately 10 square miles, but Mauldin Fire Department serves 23 square miles. 

The city will host a press conference today at 3 p.m. at City Hall, 5 East Butler Road, to formally announce the achievement.