COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Fire Department earned an increase in the public protection classification from Class 4 to Class 3. The Public Protection Classification is determined by surveys conducted by the Insurance Service Organization. The classification is based on a 1-10 scale, with a lower number representing a superior rating. This Class 3 rating puts the Columbus Fire Department in the top four percent of departments in the state.
In order to certify a rating, officials conduct a field survey that focuses on emergency communications, fire department and water supply. The overall fire protection system is evaluated using the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. Based on points in each category the rating is established.
A majority of insurance companies use the classification to calculate premium costs for business and residential customers. This improvement could cause some Columbus area insurance premiums to go down. This rating takes effect December 1, 2016.