Bradenton Fire Department Recognized with Classification Upgrade

BRADENTON – The City of Bradenton Fire Department has received official notification from the Insurance Services Office of an improvement in the department’s Public Protection Classification. The department’s new Class 2/2X rating goes into effect on February 1, 2018.

Previously rated as a Class 3/9, this improvement demonstrates the department and city’s commitment to the proficient and prudent provision of emergency services. The Bradenton Fire Department is now considered to be in the top 4% of all fire departments, nationwide.

ISO collects information about the quality of public fire protection in more than 47,500 fire protection areas across the United States. In each of those protection areas, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a PPC – a grading from 1 to 10 with "1“ generally representing superior property fire protection, and "10“ indicating that the area’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum

criteria.

The BFD’s split rating of 2/2X means that all properties in the city which are within five miles of a fire station and 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant are considered to have PPC of 2, whereas parcels in the City which are within five road miles of fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a hydrant are considered to have a PPC of 2X. It should be noted that ALL existing buildings within the City of Bradenton meet the criteria for a PPC of 2, and a PPC of 2X only applies to undeveloped land areas.

Most U.S. insurers of home and business properties use ISO’s PPC in calculating premiums. In general, the price of insurance in a community with a good PPC is lower than in a community with a poor PPC, assuming all other factors are equal.

After a department self-assessment, not unlike that done for the accreditation process, an ISO representative conducted an on-site visit in March 2017. During that visit, the representative met with department personnel, as well as representatives at the city’s dispatch center and Public Works and Utilities Department. Credit was given in criteria pertaining to needed fire flows, receiving and handling fire alarms, the water supply system, and the fire department’s apparatus, resource location, personnel, and training.

The BFD, an internationally accredited fire department since 2004, has a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and will continue to take steps towards improving its ISO rating for the benefit of all those within its jurisdiction. More information about ISO’s PPC Program can be found at https://www.isomitigation.com/ppc