City retains classification

City of Greenwood
PO Box 40
Greenwood, SC 29648
Voice 864.942.8412
Fax 864.942.8470
https://www.cityofgreenwoodsc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2014

For Additional Information Contact:

Charlie Barrineau – (864) 942-8410

City of Greenwood Retains ISO Rating of 2

Greenwood, SC –The City of Greenwood has received official notification from the Insurance Service Office (ISO) that the City has retained its structural fire suppression delivery system classification of Two (2).

The Greenwood Fire Department was surveyed by ISO this past August. Based on the survey, the Department’s class rating will remain a two (2). ISO uses a ten-point scale, with one (1) being the best and ten (10) being the worst.   Of the nearly 50,000 communities reviewed nationwide in 2014, less than two (2) percent received an ISO rating of 2 or better.

“I think the most important responsibility of a city is to protect its citizens,” said Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams.  “Our Fire Department does an outstanding job of protecting our citizens, and this ISO rating is proof of their dedication and hard work.  I will add that since I have been Mayor, I have seen improvements in our 911 system which contributed to this rating.  I think the new improved water lines installed by Greenwood CPW across our City also helped the City gain this rating,” Mayor Adams concluded.

The City of Greenwood Fire Department was last reviewed by ISO in 2006.

ISO is the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting, and actuarial information to the property/casualty insurance industry and is used by most insurers to calculate the premiums for residential, commercial and industrial subscribers. ISO evaluates each community according to a uniform set of criteria as defined in nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Water Works Association. Using this system, ISO reviews the fire suppression capabilities of a community and assigns a public protection classification number. Many fire insurance underwriters then voluntarily employ this 10-point scale as a major component when determining the premium paid by policyholders.

Savings on insurance premiums are dependent on the type of insurance, type of construction, mortgage, and other factors.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication to excellence our firefighters exhibit on a day-to-day basis,” said Greenwood Fire Chief Terry Strange. “The ISO Class 2 designation is verification of their professionalism and commitment. This award is quite extraordinary, when you consider that ISO only graded our department on our fire suppression capability. ISO didn’t factor in our many other life- saving efforts such as confined space, trench, and technical rescue as well as hazardous materials response. All of these services are provided by the same group of highly trained and motivated personnel.”

The ISO review is broken into three separately evaluated categories, which are totaled to reach the final score. They are as follows:

Fire Department: This accounts for the largest part (50%) of the total classification, which focuses on items such as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department staffing and training.

Water Supply System: This is the second major portion (40%) of the total classification highlighting the water supply a community uses for fire suppression, including hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants.

Fire Alarm and Communications Systems: This accounts for the community’s ability to handle and dispatch fire alarms and counts for 10% of the final grade.

“The Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works are very pleased the City Fire Department has retained the ISO Rating of 2,” said CPW General Manager Steve Reeves. “Over the last decade, the Commissioners have made significant investments to improve the City’s water distribution system. These improvements increase water pressure, thereby providing better fire protection. We have also added a significant number of new fire hydrants,” Reeves continued.

In an effort to continue to ensure the safety of the City’s firemen and to retain the ISO rating of 2, Greenwood City Council budgeted in 2014 the purchase of a new 2014 Kovatch Mobile Equipment (KME) pumper.   This pumper will replace a 1971 American LaFrance pumper.  The new pumper should roll into Greenwood in the spring of 2015.

For additional information about Insurance Services Office, visit www.iso.com. Learn more about the City of Greenwood Fire Department by visiting www.cityofgreenwoodsc.com.