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County fire department's ISO rating improves; officials say residents could see lower premiums
Summary
Essex County staff reported the county's ISO public-protection classification moved from a 10 to a 5 after a year-long retrogression plan that included hose and pump testing, MOUs with the Virginia Fire Marshal's office, training and water-supply work.
County staff told supervisors on Jan. 13 that a year-long effort to address documentation, testing and equipment resulted in an improved ISO public-protection classification for Essex County.
Kyle, summarizing the retrogression plan begun in August 2024, said Verisk's ISO rating for public protection evaluates fire department capability, water supply and emergency communications. Following the county's testing and documentation push — including hose and pump testing, training, MOUs with the Virginia Fire Marshal's office and targeted reallocation of capital-improvement funds — the county's rating improved to a 5. Kyle said that historically the rating had been as low as a 6 and had been rated a 10 after documentation gaps.
He said the lower rating should reduce homeowners' insurance premiums at renewal. The board praised staff and noted continued work would be required if the county pursues further reductions in the ISO classification.
