NEWS RELEASE
Contact Barry Levy
City of Wichita Falls Public Information Officer
August 10, 2010
New City Rating May Lower Insurance Premiums
The Wichita Falls Fire Department and City Leaders are pleased to announce that the City's Public Protection Classification (PPC) has been upgraded from a "3" to a "2" by the insurance Services Office (ISO). This rating is used to help establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties and will become effective December 1, 2010. Public Protection Classifications are assigned on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing superior property fire protection, according to the Insurance Service Office.
" This new rating is the direct result of 15 years of extensive planning and improvements by the Fire Department, Public Works Department, and City leaders," said Wichita Falls Fire Chief Earl Foster. In 1995, the City received a PPC of "3", and since then City and Fire Department have been working toward improving that PPC rating. Fire stations were relocated, personnel were added, new equipment and apparatus were purchased, a new Dispatch Center and fire department training facilities were constructed, and the water distribution system was substantially improved," said Foster.
The ISO conducted a survey of the City and Fire Department in November of 2009. The survey collected information about the City's fire protection efforts including fire alarm and communication systems, engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department personnel, training and a review of the City's water supply system. The results of the survey were released to the City in May of this year and approved in July by the State Fire Marshal.
"The PPC rating for Wichita Falls now ranks in the top 1.29% (618 out of 48,086) of all communities nationally," said Foster. "Wichita Falls now ranks in the top 5.11% (123 out of 2,405) of all communities state-wide. Only 60 communities in the United States and only 13 communities in Texas have a "1" rating and rank above Wichita Falls," Foster continued.
An improved PPC Rating may affect the cost of property insurance for businesses and residences, although, a number of factors go into determining insurance premiums. Communities having a good PPC rating generally have lower insurance premiums than communities having a poor PPC Rating. The ISO does not establish the rates for insurance premiums, individual insurance companies determine rates. Citizens and businesses should contact their insurance company to determine how the improved PPC Rating will affect the cost of their insurance.
The new PPC rating does not become effective until December 1st, 2010. New property insurance policies and renewal of existing property insurance policies prior to December 1st will be based on the old PPC rating. Policies, new or renewed, activated after December 1st will be based on the new PPC rating of two. For more information please contact Wichita Falls Fire Chief Earl Foster at 761-7901.