Norman Fire Department gains top public protection rating

NORMAN—The Norman Fire Department has achieved the highest Public Protection Classification rating from the Insurance Service Office.

The top rating, which takes effect March 1, may help residents and businesses gradually save on insurance premiums.

The I SO rates more than 50,000 fire departments in the United States. Fewer than 1% of them have a Class 1 rating, making the Norman Fire Department one of only 388 preeminent ISO rated fire departments in the nation. In Oklahoma, of 740 fire departments, only five have earned the Class 1 rating. Norman now joins Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Lawton, Tulsa and Broken Arrow in the Class 1 rating.

“This is a great achievement for the Norman Fire Department and great news for the Norman community,” state Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “This superior rating means a fire department is better equipped to respond to fires. I appreciate the Norman Fire Department's dedication and commitment to making their community a safer place to live.”

Mu lr ea dy said the Oklahoma Insurance Department offers consulting and educational resources for fire departments and communities interested in improving their rating and mitigating fire risk. The assistance is provided at no cost to the fire departments, ISO field coordinator Lois Spinn said.

For more information on community risk reduction, contact Spinn at lois. spinn@oid.ok.gov.

For information about other insurance issues, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800- 5220071 or go to www.oid.ok.gov.