LVFD recently completed their Insurance Services Office (ISO) inspection for their certification of Fire District Rating. Following this inspection, LVFD has received a new rating of “5/9E”.
This inspection was conducted by officials of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) ,Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS). The inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities, availability of a water source, and several other factors. The rating is a 1 to 10 classification system where the higher ISO fire protection class (With Class 1 being the best) reflects the department’s proficiencies and performance.
A rating of 5 is very desirable score for a fire department in a rural community when compared to resources available to city and urban districts, especially relating to immediate access to water supplies. The previous rating held by LVFD was 6/9E. The new rating is an upgrade and benefits the entire Leicester District community. This new score reflects the departments commitment to excellence.
A benefit to the community is that some homeowner insurers may provide discounts that are tied to the ISO fire rating. Be aware though that their rating systems are complex and constantly changing. Be sure to inquire with your homeowner insurers about this.
The new rating takes effect Feb 1, 2022
A special thanks to those directly involved in this process and reflecting the values of our department.
