The City of Kankakee Fire Department wishes to announce a new Insurance Service Office (ISO) Survey Rating reduction. ISO has an objective standard entitled the Public Protection Classification (PPC) program which assesses fire protection efforts in a particular community. ISO rates fire departments across the country on their ability to operate efficiently and to provide public fire protection services. The rating scale is from 1 – 10 with a 1 rating being the highest or best. Over the years, Kankakee Fire Department was rated as a 3 or a 4. Approximately five years ago, the department lowered their rating down to a 2. The most recent survey completed in Oct. of 2018, resulted in a recent drop to a 1.
Chief Schuldt said, “This is truly a great moment for all of us and could not have been achieved without the hard work and diligence of all our personnel. It was a team effort! Everyone contributed to this lower rating.” In the State of Illinois, there are approximately 1,200 fire departments and Kankakee is now one of only 26 to achieve Class 1 status. Across the nation there are roughly 42,000 fire departments and it is estimated that less than 400 have a Class 1 designation. “The new rating places us in an elite group. Everyone should be very proud of this department,” Schuldt said. ‘
The ISO rating is achieved through numerous standards including training, water supply, emergency communications, pre-plans, hose testing, equipment maintenance records, response times, fire prevention activities and more. The new rating could not have been achieved without partnering agencies including Kan-Comm for their quick emergency dispatching; Aqua Illinois, for their efficient water supply; FLOW MSP for their pre-plan program and the local neighboring fire departments who are part of our Auto-Aid response including Bradley, Bourbonnais, Limestone and Kankakee Township. “We are proud to partner with local agencies to achieve this goal,” Schuldt said.
The department has a dedicated Fire Prevention Bureau staff who work along with shift personnel to provide the upmost in safety presentations. Furthermore, having a full-time training officer contributed greatly to the improved rating.
“A key focus of the Kankakee Forward agenda is improving public safety. This rating serves as an example of the positive outcomes that result when the administration and the city council prioritize the needs of the department. Additionally, the rating has potential economic development significance because business owners may experience a decrease in their insurance premiums as ISO ratings improve. I am very proud of our department and will continue to encourage operational efficiencies,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.
Many factors can go in to insurance rates and property owners should consult with their insurance carriers to determine potential effect on rates.
