Simpsonville Fire Department Improves ISO Rating

The Simpsonville Fire Department recently received notification from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) that the department's Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating has been upgraded from Class 3 to Class 2, the city announced.

The rating is one of the factors insurance providers  use in determining premiums for homeowners and businesses. The better the rating, the lower the premium with some insurance carriers. City residential and business property owners are urged to contact their insurance carriers to possibly lower their premiums.

ISO gathers information about the level of protection provided by fire departments throughout the United States, evaluates the data in three weighted categories (communication, fire department, and water supply), and a assigns a PPC. The classifications range from 1, being superior, to 10, meaning that the fire protection for the area does not meet ISO's minimum standards.  

Fewer than five percent of all fire departments in South Carolina achieve a Class 2 rating.  

City Administrator Russ Hawes said: "We are proud of our excellent fire department in Simpsonville, and expect that this upgrade will reflect favorably on insurance premiums in our city."     

"This improvement shows that the City is being proactive in the public safety of our citizens."  said Fire Chief Wesley Williams in a news release.  "The City, as well as the County, through our 10-year capital improvement plan, have been working diligently to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Simpsonville and the extended fire district.  Our desire is  to continue to strive to better our services through the years to come."  

The City of Simpsonville recently purchased land for a fifth fire station, which when completed, will add response equipment and personnel for a continually-growing area, Williams said. 

Simpsonville joins Mauldin in upgrading its rating. Mauldin's Class 2 rating went into effect on June 1.