Brownville’s ISO Public Protection Classification to be upgraded from a Class 5 to a Class 4 rating

BROWNVILLE — This past March, the Insurance Services Office completed an evaluation of the structural fire suppression system delivery provided in the town of Brownville.

ISO evaluates fire department equipment, training, firefighter and officer certification levels, facilities, available personnel and response times, along with water delivery system, fire inspections, and the 9-1-1 dispatch and radio communication system.

ISO has established a scoring system, giving each fire suppression delivery system a numeric score, with Class 1 being the best fire protection available, down to a Class 10 which is minimal fire protection.

As a result of improvements in the areas evaluated, the Town of Brownville’s Public Protection Classification will be upgraded from the current Class 5 rating to a Class 4 rating, effective March 1, 2025.

Nationwide there are over 39,000 fire departments evaluated, with 13,399 rated Class 4 or higher, which puts Brownville in the top 34 percent nationwide.

ISO’s Public Protection Classification system plays a substantial role in insurance companies’ underwriting process. Nearly all insurance carriers in the country use the Public Protection Classification system to determine coverages, rates and premiums to customers. In towns where the Public Protection Classification rating improves, insurance premiums may be reduced. It also provides fire department and water providers with a valuable planning tool to help evaluate and budget for improvements in the services they provide to the public.