One county agency has reached a milestone which officials say could mean more money in taxpayers’ pockets.
The most recent ISO (Insurance Services Office) evaluation of the Henry County Fire Department has resulted in an improvement in the ISO rating, which listed on a scale of 1-10. The lower the number, the better the rating, and the HCFD rating has moved from 4 to 2.
The evaluation took place in January and the department was notified May 18 of the new rating, which takes effect August 1.
That kind of change can often mean better insurance rates for homeowners and businesses. “On average, a more favorable ISO rating, like the one Henry County recently received, can result in a decrease to a homeowner’s insurance by six percent,” said deputy chief Jonathan Burnette.
The improved rating was the result of a collaborative effort that included the E-911 department as well as the Henry County Water Authority, according to HCFD chief Luther Phillips. The previous score was attained after the last ISO evaluation in 2012, and Phillips pointed out the the department is much different now compared to then.
“Over the course of these years, with the support of the elected officials and county administration, the department has been able to make improvements in the areas where we needed it,” he said. “We needed more fire stations for our five-mile coverage area and more personnel to staff the stations.”
Phillips said that the county and its citizens have been very responsive to fire service needs and the HCFD currently has a recruit class ready to graduate.
“It’s a significant jump from a 4 to a 2, and we are one of approximately 1,600 fire departments out of 30,000 who have achieved an ISO rating of 2 across the United States,” he added. “The rating puts Henry County in the top five percent of fire departments across the country.”
Now he is putting together a three-year plan to earn a perfect rating.
“I told my staff while this is a significant achievement, it’s not an end game for us,” he said. “The next step is to establish a three-year plan to achieve an ISO rating of 1. We are within striking distance. It is as high as you can go.”
