Some businesses in and around Zebulon could see a decrease in fire insurance premiums thanks to improved ratings by the North Carolina Department of Insurance/Office of State Fire Marshal.
“We are very proud of the Zebulon Fire Department,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chairman Matt Calabria. “By making smart investments in our fire service and improving our ISO rating, we are protecting our residents better than ever. We’re also lowering the price of doing business in Wake County by reducing insurance costs for many area businesses.”
After completing required inspections, the Zebulon Fire Department is excited to announce it has advanced its fire rating from 3 to 2. Zebulon, which joins Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Wendell with a 2 rating within town limits, is one of 38 departments in the state to receive this outstanding grade.
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 Zebulon Fire Department, known as Wakelon, received a Class 3 rating, joining 38 other departments in the state. Zebulon Fire Department is the seventh Wake County department serving an unincorporated area to receive such a grade.
“Our fire department has a long history of providing a high level of service to our community,” said Zebulon Mayor Bob Matheny. “We are appreciative of their dedication and efforts in achieving this excellent public protection classification.”
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.
Business owners in the town and county areas could see reduced insurance premiums based on these new scores by December 2021.
