Pender EMS & Fire, Inc. receives new ISO Rating after state inspection

BURGAW- Pender EMS & Fire Director Everett Baysden announced the agency and the six districts Pender EMS & Fire, Inc. cover received an ISO Rating of 3 following routine state evaluations.

“The North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS) grades departments on a scale of 1-10,” explained Baysden. “Ten is the worst rating in which a department is not recognized as a certified department, and the state rarely awards ISO Ratings of 1. An ISO rating of 3 for a rural department like ours is very good.”

Pender EMS and Fire had last earned an ISO Rating of 5.

The NCRRS inspection includes evaluation of proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities, and availability of a water source.

“I’d like to congratulate Chief Baysden for the department’s performance and for the hard work of all the department members,” said North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey. “The citizens of this district should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”

Baysden said the improved ISO Rating will help commercial properties in the department’s six districts with savings on insurance premiums. The new ISO Rating is effective May 1.

State law requires the state fire marshal officials to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or less, which makes up all but 12 of the state’s fire districts.