Carpentersville’s new ISO rating could mean lower fire insurance costs for residents

Carpentersville residents could see lower homeowner's insurance premiums thanks to the fire department's significantly improved insurance rating.

Fire departments are rated by the Insurance Services Office to determine a Public Protection Classification, which is published by the ISO and used by insurance companies to determine rates.

The Carpentersville Fire Department was evaluated last fall on its resources, staffing, training, operations, station locations, ability to supply needed water and the abilities of the QuadCom 911 Communications Center, Fire Chief John-Paul Schilling said.

The ISO report rates community fire departments from Class 10 to Class 1, with Class 1 being the highest.

Effective Oct. 1, the Carpentersville Fire Department's new Public Protection Classification will be a Class 2, Schilling said.

"This is an improvement from the current Class 3 and represents a significant improvement from 1995, when Carpentersville was rated as a Class 5," he said.

The new classification could result in lower fire insurance premiums. Property owners can check with their insurance companies on applicable discounts when the new classification becomes official.

Schilling said the rating improvement demonstrates how the department has capitalized on the investments Carpentersville has made to improve the department's ability to respond to fire and emergency medical incidents.

"Our quality improvement efforts will continue and we look forward to what the future holds in regards to responding to our community needs," he said. "We are grateful for the supportive efforts of village President John Skillman, the board of trustees and Village Manager Eric Johnson."

Skillman congratulated the department on its new rating.

"As the former fire chief, I'm proud of the department and its continued improvement and hope the rating upgrade leads to savings for our businesses and residents," he said.

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