Property owners in Kitty Hawk could see a decrease in fire insurance premiums thanks to the improved rating by the North Carolina Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey announced on June 27 that the Kitty Hawk Fire Department had advanced its fire rating from a 4 to a 2.
This rating will take effect with new and renewing policies on October 1, 2022.
The inspection, conducted by officials with the Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal, is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System.
Among other things, the routine inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communication capabilities, and availability of a water source.
The NCRRS rating system ranges from one (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state), with most rural departments falling into the 9S category.
While lower ratings do not necessarily indicate poor service, a higher rating does suggest that a department is overall better equipped to respond to fires in its district. Higher ratings can also significantly lower homeowners’ insurance rates in that fire district.
“I’d like to congratulate Chief Mike Talley for the department’s performance and for the hard work of all the department members,” said Causey. “The citizens in the Town should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”
“Achieving a Class 2 ISO rating is a validation of the effort put forth by Chief Talley and his dedicated staff, who work hard for our Town every day,” said Town Manager Andy Stewart. “We are very proud of our Fire Department.”
State law requires OSFM officials to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or less, which makes up all but twelve of the state’s fire districts.