Department Rating
The North Carolina Department of Insurance
Office of State Fire Marshal
The North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal
(OSFM) inspects communities on a regular basis as part
of the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS). The purpose of the
inspection is to determine the Public Protection Classification (PPC)
for the fire protection services protecting the community. The Public
Protection Classification is used to gauge the ability of a local fire
department to respond to fires. A Community's fire protection
information is collected and analyzed by NC OSFM. A classification of 1
to 10 is then assigned based upon the results of the survey. Class 1 is
the best rating, and Class 10 the lowest rating. A Class 10 rating is an
indication of no fire protection or that a property is located more than
6 road miles from a fire station. The rating of a community has a direct
effect on the insurance premiums that an individual pay on their homes
and commercial buildings. The Public Protection Classification is used
by the Insurance industry in determining insurance premiums for many
properties within the community. Three areas are examined when the NC
OSFM conducts their inspection, the community's water supply, dispatch
(communications) center and fire department. Among other things, the
inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment,
proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and
availability of a water source. They also look at the records of drills,
training and meetings attended by firefighters. Each area receives a
rating, and in the end those ratings are considered together to
determine the final Public Protection Classification
Some insurance companies use criteria other than the
NC OSFM rating or ISO rating to set their rates.
When surveying a community the OSFM considers the
department’s fire district has a whole, they don't rate individual
developments or neighborhoods. They inspect the district and determine
an overall PPC for the community. The community is divided in to three
zones. The first zone includes properties located within five road miles
of a fire station, the possible ratings range from class 1 to 10. The
second zone include properties located between five and six road miles
of a fire station, possible ratings range from 9E to 10. The third zone
includes properties located more than six road miles from a station, the
only rating given for properties in his zone is a class 10.
Cashier Glenville Volunteer Fire Department OSFM Rating
In April 2005 the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal completed
a routine inspection of the department. The Cashiers Glenville Fire
District received a 7/9E rating. This rating took effect December 2005.
This rating was applied to the three stations existing at that time.
(copy of OSFM letter).
In October 2008 a fourth station was completed in the Yellow Mountain area of the Cashiers Glenville Fire District. The new sub-station extended the five and six mile boundaries of the district. In October 2008 the NC OSFM conducted a routine inspection of the district. The area created by the extending the boundaries with the new sub-station has been classed 7/9E. The effective date is May 1, 2009. (copy of OSFM letter).
What does the class 7/9E mean? Property located within five road miles of a station are a Class 7. Properties located between five and six road miles of a station are a Class 9E. Properties located more than six road miles from a station are a class 10.