New ISO Ratings
Residents of the Coal City Fire Protection District should be happy they've earned a lower rating. The reduced rating from the Insurance Services Organization will lower insurance premiums effective July 1 for Coal City, Diamond, Carbon Hill and the surrounding rural district within five miles of the station. Fire Chief Harold Holsinger contacted the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) early last year to ask for the district's re-evaluation. "Considering the improvements within the fire district and villages, the fact that these ratings are commonly re-evaluated on a 10 year schedule, fire department and village officials felt it was time to attempt to lower insurance premiums for our residents," Holsinger said. The ISO notified the district of the results last week. "The result of the re-evaluation is that a large population of the Coal City Fire Protection District should see a decrease in their insurance premiums," said Holsinger. The current ratings have been in effect since 1996. Coal City's ISO rating will decrease from 6 to 4, Diamond from 7 to 5, Carbon Hill from 9 to 4 and the rural district within 5 road miles of the station from 9 to 6. Holsinger said improvements made in personnel training, modern equipment made these reductions possible throughout the district. Additional improvements to local water systems were also a major factor in the ISO's re-evaluation. Half of the rating is based on the fire department's equipment and operations, 40 percent is based on the available water supply and maintenance of the municipal water system, and 10 percent is based on the emergency communication system. The district's communication system is managed by the Grundy County Dispatch Center with the support and guidance of the Grundy County 911 Board. Holsinger credited the local municipalities for their cooperation and district trustees and volunteers for their efforts to reduce the ratings. Furture improvements, such as a proposed water tower in Coal City could reduce the ratings even further. Holsinger said he will contact ISO representatives when those improvements are made. Residents beyond five miles of the fire station are not affected by this re-evaluation. Holsinger reminded residents the premium reductions is dependant on individual carriers. "But indications reveal that there should be significant savings to both residential and commercial residents of the district," he said. "I hope that the entire community is as proud of this accomplishment as I am," Holsinger said.