Here's a cost-saving tip for municipal officials and fire chiefs eager to improve their communities' fire suppression classification from the Insurance Services Office: Start at the source.

With growing public awareness that good ISO public protection classifications can produce significant cost savings on homeowner's policies, community leaders are turning to consultants for help to improve fire departments, water supplies and communications systems — the elements that go into the ISO classification.

Some consultants, with no authorization to act on the ISO's behalf, have been using the ISO program to sell their services and encourage municipalities to make costly changes in fire-protection services. These changes haven't always produced the anticipated classification improvement or expected savings to residents on fire insurance premiums.

To avoid costly disappointments that may be hard to explain to mayors, town executives and residents, chiefs should confer with the ISO before hiring consultants or during the planning stage of capital-intensive improvements. ISO experts are available at no charge to help communities review the impact of their proposed changes on their classification.

The ISO offers a number of tools to help fire chiefs understand the criteria of the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. Over the last several years, we've conducted two-day seminars on the FSRS in various states under the aegis of the state fire chiefs associations. We also conducted classes at the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Fire-Rescue International and the Fire Department Instructors' Conference.

Our most important outreach, however, is that our expertise is always available to community officials wishing to discuss their proposed changes and the impact those changes will have on their municipalities' classification.

In recent reviews of more than 30,000 classifications, over 50% have shown that the field evaluation resulted in a classification improvement, 48% remained the same and only 2% retrogressed in class. This means that the ISO has upgraded public protection classifications in approximately 15,000 graded jurisdictions. It's readily apparent that, by ISO criteria, the structure-fire delivery systems are improving.

Some communities earned their improved classifications without having to make capital-intensive modifications. Changes as minimal as publishing emergency numbers in local telephone books or testing pumpers and aerial ladders resulted in classification improvements. Other basic enhancements, including establishing pre-fire planning programs and inspecting and testing hydrants on a rigorous timetable, often led to improved classifications.

ISO's rating schedule also recognizes automatic-aid agreements that supplement local resources in small communities. Moreover, significant fire insurance premiums can be reduced by creating alternative water supplies, such as tanker shuttle operations in areas that lack a public water-supply system.

Not all major capital improvements are guaranteed classification improvement. For instance, ISO's rating schedule does not have a requirement relating to the age of fire apparatus. Pumpers are credited based on their performance at a pump test, provided they meet the general requirements outlined in NFPA 1901, Automotive Fire Apparatus. For example, a pumper with a rated capacity of 1,000gpm that pumps 900gpm at 150psi is credited as a 900gpm pumper.

Purchasing a replacement pumper may contribute favorably to a jurisdiction's overall score under the FSRS, but the benefit would be incremental to variations between the new apparatus and the rig being replaced. These differences would be measured in pumping capacity and equipment carried, and can account for a maximum of 10%. The ISO can advise you of the point value of the existing apparatus relative to the proposed apparatus.

The purchase of an aerial apparatus is another large fire department expenditure. Once again, the ISO relies on NFPA standards in evaluating the value of such apparatus. The age of aerial apparatus is not an issue. What counts is whether the ladder apparatus is reliable. Annual load tests and a non-destructive test every five years are encouraged to demonstrate the trustworthiness of aerial vehicles.

Replacement aerial apparatus would be measured against existing apparatus based on aerial device height capabilities in relation to the need defined in the rating schedule, type of aerial device and equipment carried. The percentage of points available in the FSRS for aerial apparatus is 5%. Once again, the ISO can advise you of the point value of the existing apparatus and the proposed apparatus.

If, after consulting with the ISO, you decide you still want to contract the services of a consultant, then we suggest you verify that the consultant:

• Is qualified to evaluate emergency management practices.
• Is experienced in insurance underwriting and rating issues.
• Won't derive any financial benefits from community purchases.
• Has satisfied expectations of previous community clients.

Also, you should consider obtaining a second opinion on major recommended changes from the appropriate professional and governmental organizations such as:

• American Water Works Association,
• International Association of Fire Chiefs,
• International City Managers Association,
• National Fire Protection Association,
• State fire marshal or similar state agency, or
• U.S. Fire Administration and FEMA.

Remember to verify projected insurance classification impact statements with the ISO prior to making any major expenditure. A call to our toll-free number, 800-444-4554, will put you in touch with a representative able to help you understand how changes in your fire suppression capability can improve your classification. The representative will have your community's file and access to other ISO experts to coordinate a response to your question promptly.

---

Dennis Gage is the manager of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Division of the Insurance Services Office in New York, overseeing the administration of the Community Mitigation programs. Prior to his 15-year career with the iso, Gage was with the Ventura County (Calif.) Fire Department, serving three years in the fire prevention bureau. He currently sits on the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.