The South Salisbury Fire District’s insurance rating improved after a recent inspection of the South Salisbury Fire Department by the Office of State Fire Marshal, a division of the N.C. Department of Insurance, a state press release said.
Effective Nov. 1, South Salisbury’s insurance rating will be a 6. It’s current rating is a 7. Insurance ratings range from 1, the highest attainable, to 10, not recognized as a certified fire department by the state. Most rural fire departments have a 9 rating.
While lower ratings do not necessarily indicate poor service, the press release said, a higher rating does suggest a department is better equipped overall to respond to fires in its district. Higher ratings can also significantly decrease insurance rates for homeowners in that district.
“I’d like to congratulate Chief (Cory) Orbison for his department’s performance and for the hard work of all the department members,” N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin said in the press release. “The citizens in the South Salisbury Fire District should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”
State law requires the Office of State Fire Marshal to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or less, which make up all but six of the state’s fire districts. 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.
The inspections are performed on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System.