Fairfax Fire Recieves New ISO Audit Score

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As of May 1, 2014 the Town of Fairfax will have a new ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) of 3/8B.  This is a monumental improvement from our previous 6/9. 

Many U.S. insurers of homes and business’ use ISO’s PPC in their premium calculations. In general, the price of insurance in a community with a good PPC is lower than in a community with a poor rating.  ISO assigns a rating number from 1 to 10.  Recently Fairfax Fire underwent a day long audit encompassing the following.
•   fire alarm and communication systems, including telephone systems, telephone lines, staffing, and dispatching systems
•   the fire department, including equipment, apparatus, staffing, training records and validation, as well as geographic distribution of fire companies
•   the water-supply system, including the condition and maintenance of hydrants, and a careful evaluation of the amount of available water compared with the amount needed to suppress fires

ISO has developed both a single and split rating system.  In a single rating system all properties in that jurisdiction receive the rating.  ISO also develops a split classification such as Fairfax, 3/8B; the first class (3) applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant. The second class (8B) applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a hydrant.

Class 1 through 8 falls into a competitive scoring system representing a fire suppression system that includes a credible dispatch center, fire department and water supply.

Class 8B is a special classification that recognizes a superior level of fire protection in otherwise Class 9 areas.  It is designated to represent a fire protection delivery system that is superior except for lack of water supply system capable of the minimum flow criteria of 250 gallons per minute for 2 consecutive hours.  Fairfax Fire helps achieve this score by having nearly 6000 gallons of water spread across various firefighting apparatus.

Class 9 represents a credible dispatch center and fire department but lacks any creditable water supply.

Examples to show how the Fairfax Fire Department compares to other local communities: Colchester 3, Swanton 5/9, Bellows Falls Class 4, Milton 5/9, South Burlington 3/9

In Vermont, ISO evaluates about 270 communities (Graph below) of which only 5 have achieved a whole or partial class 3 - Fairfax and four other towns. This excellent rating could equate to savings for business and residential properties on their fire insurance premiums. Please contact your insurance company to see how and if this new PPC applies.
 
As our department continues to improve processes and trainings we commit to providing timely and professional services to the citizens of our community.  For any specific questions in regards to this please reach out to Battalion Chief David Raymond, 849-6075 (Station).

Respectfully Submitted;   
Justin Hayes, CFI
Fire Chief

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Thanks to all the volunteers who work so hard to continue to train and keep accredited to protect us.  You are the best!  Congratulations on achieving this rating.  It speaks well of the department.