Forney Fire Department Chief Rick Townsend and Fire Marshall John Holcomb announced that the City of Forney's rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) went from a Class 4 to a Class 2 rating. Forney residents may not know it yet, but the change in rating should help them save approximately 8.5% on their homeowners insurance policies.
Forney Fire Department Chief Rick Townsend and Fire Marshall John Holcomb announced that the City of Forney's rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) went from a Class 4 to a Class 2 rating. Forney residents may not know it yet, but the change in rating should help them save approximately 8.5% on their homeowners insurance policies.
The effective date of the new rating starts on March 1, 2013. Forney FD worked together with other City department's to make the changes and improvements needed to gain the better ISO rating. Fire Marshall Holcomb explained that in a two year period of time, many improvements were made to the FFD training program, recruit training, inspections, and pre-plans. The FFD acquired additional equipment and a new ladder truck. They also updated building and fire codes, and the Police Department received a new dispatch center.
In addition to those changes, the City came up with a better review plan process and guide for developers, and improvements were also made to the fire hydrant inspections and the water system inspections. The City added a fire marshall position and three additional firefighter positions as well.
Holcomb explained that the rating is broken down into three categories which are; Fire Department 50%, Water Supply 40%, and Receiving and Handling Fire Alarms 10%. Forney will now be in the top 0.7% of cities in the U.S. that are rated a Class 2 by the ISO. Holcomb said, “Out of 47,272 cities receiving a rating by ISO, only 592 were considered worthy of a number 2 ranking. It is a proud day for Forney and everybody should be happy to get this rating.”
Though City leaders are thrilled with the Class 2 rating, Fire Marshall Holcomb is already planning to work even harder to get Forney a top rating of Class 1. Mayor Darren Rozell and City Manager Brian Brooks commended the Fire Department and other City departments for working to make improvements that would not only benefit City employees and departments, but that would also help Forney citizens get a break on their insurance policies. They encourage City of Forney homeowners to make sure that their insurance company knows about the improved rating for the City of Forney.
Holcomb feels that the planned Fire Station #2 that will be located on the North side of Highway 80, once built and fully staffed, will help push Forney to an ISO rating of Class 1. It will likely be at least two years until the #2 station is built.
You can view the ISO letter to City Manager Brian Brooks by clicking HERE.
