TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager provide a report on the status of the Public Protection Classification (PPC) Survey performed by Insurance Services Organization (ISO) on the City's Fire Department and Fire Protection Services;
Provide a strategy for improving the City's Rating from Class 2 to
Class 1; and
Provide information concerning the accreditation of the Fire Department by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).
DISCUSSION
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is a non-profit organization that collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, IS0 analyzes the relevant data using a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). IS0 assigns a Public Protection Classification from 1 to I O . Class I represents exemplary public protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's firesuppression program doesn't meet ISO's minimum criteria.
By classifying communities' ability to suppress fires, IS0 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.
Virtually all U.S. insurers of homes and business property use ISO's Public Protection Classifications in calculating premiums. In general, the price of insu,rance in a community with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC, assuming all other factors are equal.
PPC Rating depends on:
Fire alarms
Ten percent of the overall grading is based,on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its fire-fighting resources. Field representatives evaluate the communications center, looking at the nu...
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