I’ve been invited to sit in on a discussion, along with several others, with ISO. Purpose here is to brain storm ideas for changes in their rating system. Since my brain is only partly cloudy today, I’ll entertain ideas from the members. Hear is your chance, I’ll pass along any good ideas.
Permalink Reply by BenT on January 15, 2009 at 9:34am
Change the way they rate how many firefighters are at a scene. If I understand right, it takes 3 volunteers to equal one firefighter on scene (3:1). Unless the volunteer was at the station or already on another call when the alarm went off then they count as 1:1. I am a volunteer, I train just as much as the engineers, and I personally have more experience than some.
The crust of it is - ISO is a third party in this wild world of firefighting. We can play by their rules, and work to change them, or we can ignore them.
ISO Sells a product. Their rating schedules are purchased by most of the insurance companies, some who take them as gospel, some who do not - but use them as part of the rating that company uses.
Some states have mandated change, like TX. Some states like GA REQUIRE the insurance companies to use ISO
ratings in their pricing.
is a GREAT resource for some of the changes I would like to see in my
state. Credit for lots more items, including CAFS, investigations, inspections, etc. (While some of these may
already get some credit, it is nowhwere near how TX handles it.
Now, some want to use the zip code way of assigning PPC ratings. I don't
like that in the least. My zip code covers area that has well over 500 square
miles, with 5 or more departments in all or parts of it. Some departments
are... weak... some are strong. If I am a strong department, why should my
patrons be penalized because other departments in the zip code are weak?
Perhaps your states need to pursue ISO like TX has?
Does ISO need improvement? Sure they do, just like every fire department in the
world needs some improvement. Should we all just sit around a beeatch, or should
we try to fix the issue?
Insofar as not knowing what ISO wants, what specifically is the question. Over the
years I have gotten on very good terms with the two ISO inspectors for my area, lets
see what questions we can get answered.
Cap, something is fishy about this, maybe it’s in your rep. ISO tells you how many engines you need to cover you area, never heard them say you got to leave one in the station. We have 3 pumpers, only need 2; we get credit for a reserve. They can’t dictate what we do, just tell us what we need, in their opinion.
Permalink Reply by BenT on January 15, 2009 at 3:39pm
I understand what your saying, our department strongly urges you to be at least a FFII. I could see that being a stipulation, but, if your at the station or on another incident, and the call goes out you count as 1:1 regardless of your level of knowledge.
I see your point, but if I have 6 firefighters show up for a call, all FF1 and II certified, why should I not get the same credit that I would for 6 paid firefighters on that same call?