News

By Sallie James

    A ranking organization for the property/casualty industry has named Boca Raton’s Fire Rescue Department one of the best in the nation, citing its top-notch fire services.
    The impressive news could mean a savings of up to 3 percent on personal and commercial property insurance after June 1, when the rating takes effect.
    The city’s Fire Department received a Class 1 ranking in February after the Insurance Services Office measured the city’s fire-suppression services, emergency communications, water supply and risk reduction.
    “From the city’s view, it will help bring more businesses to the city,” said Assistant Fire Chief Michael LaSalle. “This is a big deal. We are very, very pleased with the Class 1 ranking for the residents and visitors of Boca Raton.”
    The ranking places Boca Raton in the top one-third of 1 percent in the country, with only 178 fire departments out of 47,000 nationwide achieving such a score.
    Delray Beach Fire-Rescue has an ISO rating of 2.
    The ISO’s Public Protection Classification Program plays an important role in the underwriting process at insurance companies.
The PPC claims to accurately measure the effectiveness of public fire protection for fire districts nationwide and ranks them accordingly.
    Boca’s ISO rating had been a Class 2 for about 20 years, LaSalle said.
    After June 1, property owners should contact their insurance agents to ask about possible rate reductions.
    “We have always touted ourselves as a world-class service,” LaSalle said. “It’s a huge accomplishment for us.”