South Van Zandt VFD improves fire rating

The South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department has improved five points on the Insurance Service Office’s fire rating sale.

SVZFD was inspected by the ISO in Austin in the past spring. The ISO classifies a community’s fire preparedness with a rating from 1 (best) to 10 (worst.) 

The score is based on how well the department scores on the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, which grades such features as water distribution, fire department equipment, manpower and fire alarm facilities.

Based on the results of this inspection, SVZVFD's rating has improved from a rating of 9/10 to a new rating of 4/10. This new rating has been approved by the Texas Fire Marshall and will become effective 

in October. 

Areas that are farther than five road miles from a SVZVFD fire station will retain their existing rating of 10, according to Emergency Services District #3 Marvin Shaw.

“This new rating is also called a Public Protection Classification. The PPC program recognizes the efforts of communities to provide fire protection services,” Shaw said. 

Some insurance companies use the PPC information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance.

“The most significant benefit of the PPC program is its effect on fire losses. The better the fire protection, the lower fire losses. This results in lower insurance rates,” Shaw said.

“Unfortunately, not all insurance companies use PPC codes when setting their rates for insurance.”

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