Some businesses in and around Apex could see a decrease in fire
insurance premiums thanks to improved ratings by the North Carolina Department
of Insurance/Office of State Fire Marshal.
After completing required inspections, the Apex Fire Department
is excited to announce it has advanced its fire ratings from 3 to 1 — the
highest grade possible within the system and a rank that only 16 other municipalities
in the state have achieved. Insurance companies use these ratings to determine
how much they’ll charge to insure businesses, so improvements can mean
significant savings for commercial structures.
The unincorporated area served by the Apex Fire Department,
known as Hipex, received a Class 2 rating, joining 38 other departments in the
state. Apex Fire Department is the second Wake County department serving an
unincorporated area to receive such a grade.
“We’re proud to provide a high level of service to the citizens
of the Hipex insurance district, which was recognized by the strong rating that
we received,” said Apex Fire Chief Keith McGee. “Our Class 2 rating was made
possible in part due to our cooperative working relationship with Wake County
and their talented staff.”
The North Carolina Response Rating System’s scale ranges from
one (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the
state). While any rating does not necessarily indicate poor service, a more
favorable rating does suggest that a department is better equipped overall to
respond to fires — and, therefore, can result in lower insurance rates in that
district.
The inspection, which is required by the state on a regular
basis, looks for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper
maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a
water source. State law requires OSFM officials to inspect departments serving
districts of 100,000 people or fewer.
“We are very proud of the Apex Fire Department,” said Wake
County Commissioner Maria Cervania. “We look forward to continuing our working
relationship with the town to provide the highest level of public safety
service to our residents.”
Apex now joins several other Wake County municipalities, such as Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville and Holly Springs, that rank in the top 20 for fire
insurance ratings in the state.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal
Mike Causey joined Wake County and Apex officials Tuesday to present the new
ratings.
“We are proud to be a partner with the Town of Apex Fire
Department in the delivery of fire services to the residents of Wake County,”
said Darrell Alford, director of Wake County Fire Services and Emergency
Management. “We could not be more excited to share the news of their new,
improved fire insurance ratings.”