Fire department rating reflects improvement in protection
April 1, 2011
907-474-7902
1/11/11
Residents of the University Fire Service Area may see a reduction in insurance rates thanks to a marked improvement in the University Fire Department’s classification by the Insurance Services Office.
Beginning April 1, all areas in the University Fire Service Area that are within five miles of a fire station and beyond 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant will have a Class 3 rating. Previously, such areas had a rating of Class 8.
“This shows a major improvement in fire protection capabilities and may be reflected in reduced fire insurance rates,” said Fire Chief Doug Schrage.
All areas within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant will continue to have a Class 2 rating.
The classification system uses a scale of 1 to 10. Class 1 is the maximum fire protection available and a Class 10 designates no recognized fire protection. The Insurance Services Office rates a community’s fire protection and provides this information to insurance companies. Insurers independently set their own premiums but, according to the ISO, most use the classification as part of their decisionmaking.
Of the more than 48,000 communities rated by the ISO, about four percent have a Class 3 rating and one percent have a Class 2 rating. In Alaska, the University Fire Department is one of five Class 3 fire departments and one of two Class 2 fire departments. The University Fire Department’s new classification is based on a survey conducted in August 2010.
“This improved rating reflects the investment of 18,000 University Fire Service Area taxpayers, as well as the support of the University of Alaska and the cooperation of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and Utilities Services of Alaska,” Schrage said. “We wish to especially thank our neighboring fire department colleagues for their roles in this achievement. Fire protection in the Interior is a collaborative effort that relies on the interdependence of all area fire departments. They share in this recognition.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Doug Schrage, UFD chief, at 907-474-7681 or drschrage@alaska.edu.
MG/4-1-11/189-11