The Elgin Fire Department has given residents another reason to be proud of their city with the department's recent high ranking in its ability to protect the community. The Elgin Fire Department achieved an Insurance Service Office Community Public Protection Classification 2 rating, which places the Elgin department in the top two-percent of communities nationwide. The rating becomes effective on October 1, 2015.
The national Insurance Services Office (ISO) regularly evaluates fire departments and classifies them according to their ability to respond to fires. The review includes an evaluation of the fire department, code department, dispatch operations and water operations in each community. Each entity receives an individual rating, and then those ratings are considered together to determine the final Public Protection Classification.
"Insurance companies use the ISO classifications to establish premiums for both commercial and residential property policies, with a better rating resulting in a lower insurance rate and cost of insurance," Fire Chief John Fahy explained. "Achievement of this improved rating is a tremendous benefit to renters, businesses and property owners."
This improved classification is the highest rating in the 150-year history of the city and reflects well on the commitment to the department's core values of a safe community. For the previous 20 years, Elgin received an ISO Class 3 ranking on the 1-10 scale, with Class 1 being the best rating.
"This significant improvement in the city's rating is a direct result of concerted efforts by many city employees and departments, especially the performance of our firefighters and the continued professionalism of our administrative team," said Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall. "I am continually proud of the way our various city departments work together to continually improve our service to our residents."