ENID, OK - The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has upgraded the Enid Fire Protection Service Area’s Public Protection Classification (PPCTM) from 03 to 02 on a scale ranging from 01 (best rating) to 09 (worst rating). Nationwide less than 3% of communities evaluated achieve a rating of 02 or better. In Oklahoma, this rating is earned by fewer than 1%. Fire Chief Joe Jackson presented information about the new rating to the City Commission at their study session on May 16th. The new 02 rating becomes effective on August 1, 2017.
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The Insurance Services Office, Inc. is a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics headquartered in Jersey City, NJ. The ISO was formed in 1971 as an advisory and rating organization, and is the leading supplier of data and analytics for the property/casualty insurance industry. Many insurers use PPC classifications for underwriting and calculating premiums for residential, commercial and industrial properties. Assuming all other factors are equal, the price of property insurance in a community with a good PPC is lower than in a community with a poor PPC.
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The ISO/PPC program evaluates communities according to a uniform set of criteria, incorporating nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and American Water Works Association (AWWA). A community’s PPC grade depends on:
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• Needed Fire Flows, which are representative building locations used to determine the theoretical amount of water necessary for fire suppression purposes.
• Emergency Communications, including emergency reporting, telecommunications, and dispatching systems.
• Fire Department, including equipment, staffing, training, geographic distribution of fire companies, operational considerations, and community risk reduction.
• Water Supply, including inspection and flow testing of hydrants, alternative water supply operations, and a careful evaluation of the amount of available water compared with the amount needed to suppress fires up to 3,500 gallons-per-minute.
• Community Risk Reduction, including Fire Prevention Code adoption and enforcement capabilities, fire prevention/public safety education programs and fire investigations.
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“The PPC evaluation began with a field survey conducted by ISO last year” Jackson said. “After completion of the survey, ISO analyzes the data using a manual called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule and calculates a PPC. We were initially notified in October, 2016 that the rating would remain unchanged at PPC 03. After reviewing the data and scoring process; I challenged some of the information and requested a re-evaluation,” explained Jackson. “Subsequently, we were advised that corrections had been made resulting in the revised PPC rating of 02.”
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The Enid Fire Department continues to strive to provide the best possible fire suppression and prevention service possible to the citizens of Enid. The ISO/PPC benchmark is a valuable tool to assist with planning, budgeting and justifying fire protection improvements.
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Enid Fire Protection Earns Higher Rating
