SPENCER — North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin announced Tuesday that the Spencer Fire District completed its routine inspection and received a four rating, effective Wednesday, July 1. The previous rating was a five.

The 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.

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, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

“I’d like to congratulate Chief Baker for his department’s performance and for the hard work of all the department members,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “The citizens in the town of Spencer should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”

State law requires state fire marshal officials to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or less, which makes up all but six of the state’s fire districts.