Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) is pleased to announce an improved Public Protection Class (PPC) rating of a 3/3X from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) effective July 1, 2014. The ISO rating of a community affects the insurance premiums that policyholders pay for fire insurance on commercial and residential buildings. This improved rating may result in reduced fire insurance premium costs for residents and business owners.  Policy holders are encouraged to contact their insurance provider concerning possible premium reductions.

“Fire Rescue has been making strides towards improved fire protection and obviously the effort has paid off.” said ACFR Chief, Ed Bailey.

The ISO is an organization that serves the insurance industry by rating the local fire department on how well they do their job.  The rating system assigns numeric designations to fire departments which mirror their effectiveness in the communities they serve, ranging from 1 (best) to 10 (the worst rating or no fire department at all).

Alachua County Fire Rescue previously had multiple ratings based on the location of the property. The new ISO rating applies to all areas where ACFR is the primary provider of service. For example, previous ratings ranged from PPC4/9 - PPC7/9. Now, all areas are rated at PPC3/3X, a dramatic improvement across the County. To receive the PPC3 a property must be located within five miles of a fire station and 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant. Properties beyond either requirement are rated at PPC3X, formally PPC9.

For more information, contact Ed Bailey at 352-384-3130.