The City of Killeen has received an upgraded fire suppression rating, and Killeen property owners may soon be able to lower their insurance rates.
Killeen’s Public Protection Classification by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) will be raised to a Class 1 effective March 1, 2015. Just one-tenth of one percent of communities in the United States have achieved this superior rating. There are only 26 Texas cities with this classification. Killeen was previously rated a Class 2 in 2012.
“According to the statistics that were presented to the Killeen City Council on January13, 2015, there are only 102 cities nationwide with the ISO Class 1 rating and there are only 48,000 cities nationwide with an ISO classification,” noted John Gilmore, President of the Killeen Industrial Foundation.
The new rating means Killeen property owners could see a reduction in their hazard insurance premiums.
ISO considers a city’s water distribution capabilities, fire department equipment, manpower and facilities in issuing a rating. Following recent water system and communications upgrades, Killeen evaluated the criteria in the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule and requested an evaluation. ISO confirmed that Killeen’s fire services warranted the highest rating of Class 1.
Carlyle Walton, President of the Killeen Economic Development Corporation, stated, “Congratulations to Chief Gardner, Mayor Cosper and the Killeen City Council, City Manager Glenn Morrison, and the many members of the City of Killeen Team for their commitment to achieving this coveted rating! This upgraded rating will enhance job creation and is important to manufacturers and commercial industries looking to lower their costs of doing business. There’s a level of confidence in knowing that in the case of a fire, Killeen has the right equipment and resources to minimize any loss.” Walton also mentioned that the Killeen Business Park has a fire station on the premises of the park.
More information is available from the ISO website, and the Texas Department of Insurance website.