Ironwood fire rating improves

IRONWOOD — The city of Ironwood’s fire rating has “significantly improved,” which will help to lower insurance rates.

Ironwood Public Safety Department Director Andrew DiGiorgio said the Insurance Services Office has notified the department that the city has obtained a 4/4 rating for its structural fire suppression system.

The city’s previous rating was 6/9.

City Manager Scott Erickson on Monday noted the improved rating. “It’s something to be very proud of,” he said.

ISO ratings are based on a 1 to 10 schedule, with a 1 being the best, or superior, according to IPSD Fire Marshal Brandon Snyder. A 10 rating doesn’t meet ISO requirements.

“It is an extraordinary accomplishment to be rated among the top 25 percent of all fire departments in the country and the top 10 percent of fire departments in Michigan,” DiGiorgio said last week.

Snyder said the savings on an average homeowner’s insurance won’t be huge, at around $20 a year, but the commercial and industrial savings will be much more substantial.

The ISO plays an important role in the underwriting process and pricing structure used by insurance companies, DiGiorgio said. Most insurers use the ISO’s Public Protection Classification number for underwriting and calculating premiums for residential, commercial and industrial properties, he said.

The ISO evaluates communities according to criteria that includes:

—Needed fire flows, which are representative building locations used to determine the amount of water needed for fire suppression purposes.

—Receiving and handling fire alarms, including telephone systems, telephone lines, staffing and dispatching systems.

—Fire department equipment, staffing and training.

—Water supplies, including the condition of hydrants, alternative water supplies and a careful evaluation of the amount of water available, compared with what is needed to suppress fires up to 3,500 gallons per minute.

DiGiorgio said the better fire rating is due, in part, to “vast” city water system improvements, acquisition of an aerial firefighting apparatus (ladder truck), increased training, reduced response times and community fire prevention activities.

The lower rating will take effect on Feb. 1.

—Ralph Ansami