Public Protection Classification Effective March 1, 2021

We are pleased to announce that a recent review by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) resulted in an improved fire department rating from Class 6 to Class 3. The classification, known as the Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, evaluates the fire-protection efforts in a community. Effective March 1, 2021, the improved rating score may help residents and businesses within the Town of Bourne achieve lower insurance costs. We urge property owners to contact their insurance agent regarding the new ISO rating.

ISO conducts field visits and an extensive analysis of relevant data in four main areas – emergency communications systems and the ability to receive and respond to alarms; water supply; a review of fire department equipment, personnel, and training; and community risk reduction efforts. After the review, ISO assigns a PPC from 1 to 10, with Class 1 representing superior property protection, and Class 10 indicating that the jurisdiction’s fire protection program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria. Insurance companies then use the ISO rating to underwrite and calculate premiums for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. ISO is the leading supplier of data and analytics for the property/casualty insurance industry.

ISO believes that “by classifying communities’ ability to suppress fires, ISO helps the communities evaluate their fire-protection services. The program provides an objective, countrywide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. And by securing lower fire insurance premiums for communities with better public protection, the PPC program provides incentives and rewards for communities that choose to improve their firefighting services.”

Bourne Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services could not have achieved this improved rating without assistance from the Bourne, Buzzards Bay, and North Sagamore Water Districts; help from the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center; the dedication and hard work of the department’s men and women; and the support of the citizens of the Town of Bourne.