WESTERVILLE FIRE IN TOP 1% IN NATION FOR BEST INSURANCE RATING

The Westerville Division of Fire (WFD) has received a class 1 Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) rating following a recent evaluation and assessment of the department. ISO rates fire departments/districts on a 10-point scale, with class 1 being the best rating. The announcement upgrades WFD’s rating from a class 2, which has held steady since 2015.

ISO is a standardized, national rating system that evaluates and assigns a number on its scale regarding the condition of the community’s fire protection systems. Only 411 out of more than 48,000 fire departments across the nation have earned a class 1 designation. Westerville is now one of only six departments or districts in the state of Ohio to achieve class 1.

ISO ratings provide guidance to insurance underwriters related to property risks associated with fire protection services. In addition to validating the quality of the department, this rating goes directly to the property insurance premiums insurers charge residential and commercial customers. ISO’s analysis considers suppression capabilities (staffing, equipment and station locations), fire prevention and code enforcement, training, emergency communications, building codes and the quality of the water distribution system.

“A better insurance rating is money saved for the residents and businesses in Westerville and Blendon Township,” said Fire Chief Brian Miller. “The industry will take this information into consideration when quoting home and business insurance rates. We’re incredibly proud to have this to offer to the community we serve.”

The rating becomes effective September 1, 2021.