Pawtucket gets better fire safety rating

THE INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE has raised the fire safety rating for Pawtucket, a move that could lower insurance rates for the city's businesses and residents. / COURTESY PAWTUCKET
THE INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE has raised the fire safety rating for Pawtucket, a move that could lower insurance rates for the city's businesses and residents. / COURTESY PAWTUCKET

PAWTUCKET – Insurance analysts have given Pawtucket a higher fire safety rating, boding well for local property owners seeking lower fire insurance rates, city officials announced Monday.

The New Jersey-based Insurance Services Office raised Pawtucket’s public protection classification to 2 from 3. Communities are given a rating from 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest rating.

“This new rating is an important indicator that has the ability to help our residents secure a lower insurance rate,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “I applaud the hard work of the Pawtucket Fire Department to keep our city safe.”

The Insurance Services Office, an advisory and rating organization for the property and casualty insurance industry, surveys communities nationwide about once every five years for public protection classifications.

- Advertisement -

The ratings are based on each community’s emergency preparedness and ability to fight fires. It takes into consideration a community’s water supply capabilities, emergency telecommunications and fire department.

Insurance companies that use the Insurance Services Office’s ratings apply them to help determine a property’s fire insurance.

A community with a high rating is considered a lower risk for loss or damage to property, which often can lower fire insurance rates. How much such rates are affected is decided by individual insurance companies.

Pawtucket is now one of 1,324 fire districts among 45,000 surveyed to achieve a public protection classification of 2, officials said.

“I am pleased [the Insurance Services Office] has confirmed the Fire Department’s hard work and services that we provide, as well as upgraded our rating for the benefit of our residents and property owners,” said Pawtucket Fire Chief William Sisson.

Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com.

No posts to display