Public Protection Rating Improved

Chesterfield County’s ability to fight and prevent fires is reducing fire-insurance premiums paid by businesses and homeowners.

The Chesterfield County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services is pleased to announce an improvement to its public-protection rating. The rating is determined by the Insurance Service Office and used by insurance companies to calculate insurance premiums.

Effective Dec. 1, 2007, the county’s rating improved from a 5 to a 4 on a 10-point scale. The rating applies to the county’s urbanized areas and is expected to shave approximately $1 million overall from area fire-insurance premiums. Home and business owners are encouraged to contact their insurance companies to determine their potential savings.

The improved rating places the Department of Fire and EMS among the top 13 percent of departments rated by the Insurance Service Office, which is funded by insurance companies and maintains extensive information on more than 46,000 jurisdictions that provide fire-response services. A jurisdiction’s participation in the organization’s Public Protection Classification Program is voluntary.

In determining the county’s improved rating, the Insurance Service Office evaluated procedures of the Department of Fire and EMS, the county’s fire alarm and communication systems and its water-supply system. In addition to determining a rating, the evaluation helps jurisdictions determine opportunities for improvement, which can lead to further-improved ratings and even lower insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses. Improved ratings also work to attract economic development as fire-protection is a key consideration of new businesses considering locating in an area.

For more information, contact Battalion Chief Stuart Dalton of Chesterfield County Fire and EMS at (804) 717-6102.