ISO Class 4 / 4X
Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States, then analyzes the relevant data using a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). They then assign a Public Protection Classification (PPC) from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary public protection, while Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet the minimum ISO criteria.
Columbus Township Fire & Rescue currently holds the rating 4/4X after the latest audit in 2023. The split rating is used to designate properties that are within 5 miles of a fire station, but more than 1000 feet from a recognized water source. This rating places Columbus Township Fire & Rescue in the top 18% of rated fire departments in Indiana and top 35% in the country. Out of over 1220 rated fire departments in Indiana, only 219 have attained Class 4 or better.
Facts and Figures from ISO Mitigation, March 2024 - www.isomitigation.comColumbus Township Fire & Rescue began modernizing its apparatus and operations many years ago, with the goal of providing the best fire protection achievable. Building on the hard work of several generations of firefighters, the men and women of Columbus Township Fire & Rescue train to high standards, keep apparatus and equipment updated and in top working order, and implemented staffing changes; all of which contributed to this achievement. The department first achieved a Class 4 rating in 2016, and continues to work hard to maintain and improve that rating.
What does this mean to the residents of Columbus Township?
This rating is important to all property owners and residents receiving fire protection from Columbus Township Fire & Rescue. Many insurance companies base their rates on the property’s ISO/PPC rating.
Columbus Township Fire & Rescue would like to thank the residents of Columbus Township for their support in helping us, together, maintain this rating. We are all better off because of it. We would also like to recognize all current and former firefighters, officers, chiefs, trustees, and board members for their contributions toward this effort. We continue to strive to bring you, our customers, the best possible service and value in fire protection and emergency services.
More details on the ISO/PPC Classification System
By classifying communities' ability to suppress fires, ISO helps the communities evaluate their public fire protection services. The program provides an objective, countrywide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. By securing lower fire insurance premiums for communities with better public protection, the PPC program provides incentives and rewards for communities that choose to improve their firefighting services. ISO has extensive information on more than 44,000 fire-response jurisdictions.
Several factors are considered when determining the PPC classification:
50 percent of the score looks at your local fire department, including staffing, training, geographic distribution of firehouses and adequacy of the fire equipment.
40 percent of the score takes into account the community’s water supply, including the placement and condition of fire hydrants and the amount of water that's available to put out fires.
10 percent of the score measures the efficiency of emergency communications, such as the 911 system and the number of emergency dispatchers.