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Property/Casualty insurance companies have long supported the efforts of individual communities to maintain and improve their fire-protection services. ISO (Insurance Service Office) Public Protection Classification program helps insurance companies measure and evaluate the effectiveness of fire-mitigation services throughout the country. The PPC program also offers economic benefits in the form of lower insurance premiums for communities that invest in their firefighting services. ISO is an independent organization that serves insurance companies, fire departments, insurance regulators and others by providing information about risk. ISO analyzes information collected from the local fire departments and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) with a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire-suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria. 

In general, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC, assuming all other factors are equal.

The Bellville Volunteer Fire Department has made great strides to improve our communities PPC. ISO has submitted a recommendation to the Texas Department of Insurance and the State Fire Marshal’s Office that beginning January 1, 2011, for the City of Bellville PPC rating of a Class 5 be changed to a Class 3.

ISO has also submitted a recommendation that extends our response to an area outside the city limits. This area is considered an Outside Protection Area (OPA).  With a Class 3/10, all property located within 5 miles of a fire station will use Class 3, whereas, all property located farther than 5 miles of a fire station will use a Class 10.   This Classification will also become effective January 1, 2011.

With the hard work of our volunteers and the tremendous support of our community, the Bellville Volunteer Fire Department  is excited that we can offer the new lower classification.      SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:  ISO Letters