- High Springs Fire Department improved its ISO Public Protection Classification from Class 4 to Class 3 effective Nov. 1, marking the department's lowest rating ever.
- HSFD's improved ISO rating reflects enhanced Community Risk Reduction efforts and proactive safety programs over the past two years.
The High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) announced this week it achieved its lowest Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification rating ever, indicating a community trending in a safer direction and potentially lowering insurance rates for homeowners.
Effective Nov. 1, HSFD will improve from a Class 4 to a Class 3 ISO rating. On top of being the lowest rating yet, HSFD spokesman Kevin Mangan said the drop is the department’s first since it moved from a Class 6 to a Class 4 ISO in 2013.
He said the rating is reviewed every five years, so High Springs will go through the process again in 2031.
HSFD encouraged homeowners in a release to contact their insurance providers to see how the change could be a benefit to their budgets, as some providers use the ratings to determine property insurance premiums. The ISO does not impact fire assessment fees.
Mangan said no firm conversion can be given for how much insurance can decrease with each ISO rating, but he said there does generally tend to be premium decreases.
“Our improved ISO rating recognizes the department’s commitment to reducing risk through proactive community outreach and the exceptional service our firefighters provide every day,” said HSFD Chief Joseph Peters in the release.
The ISO rating measures a community’s ability to prevent, respond to and suppress fires. It’s given on a scale of 1 to 10—1 being the highest level of efficiency—after a comprehensive evaluation of fire protection and prevention capabilities is conducted.
The evaluation examines several factors, including emergency communications, fire department staffing, equipment, training and water supply.
Mangan said High Springs’ fire hydrant system helps lower the score, but the most significant factor for this year was enhanced Community Risk Reduction efforts.
Over the past two years, HSFD expanded outreach beyond regular calls for service by implementing programs for injury prevention and fire and life safety, all designed to prevent emergencies before they occur,
“Community Risk Reduction is about connecting with people before they need our services,” Peters said. “Every smoke alarm we install, every family we educate and every safety program we provide helps make High Springs a safer community.”