Tamaqua improves insurance public protection rating

The Borough of Tamaqua’s Fire Insurance Public Protection Classification Rating improved from a Class IV to a Class II, an improvement announced at Tuesday night’s meeting of Tamaqua Borough Council.

What, exactly, does that mean?

The Insurance Services Office was formed in 1971 to provide advice and ratings for the property/casualty insurance industry. From analysis to statistics to actuarial services, the ISO assists insurance companies as they develop programs, meet state regulations and determine insurance fees. Their Class I (best) to a Class X (worst) ratings systems helps insurance companies determine rates for individual communities, based on a number of requisites.

For fire insurance, the company looks at an individual communities’ efforts to stem fire loss. From firefighting capabilities, emergency communications, water supply, fire prevention, public fire safety education and fire investigation efforts, each component is an integral part of the PPC.

The new rating means Tamaqua is one of only 11 communities, out of 2,432, in Pennsylvania to meet the Class II requirements.

The last ISO analysis was done in 2007, when Tamaqua received the Class IV rating. Since then, the Tamaqua Area Water Authority has upgraded the water lines and added new hydrants. The Schuylkill County 911 Communications Center underwent a major improvement in equipment and the four volunteer fire departments have been obtaining new apparatus and equipment while undertaking extensive training.

PPC ratings are important to communities and fire departments, providing valuable bench marks and tools for planning, budgeting and justifying fire protection improvements.

“The timing of the new rating comes at a perfect time,” says Tamaqua Councilman Brian Connely. “The Tamaqua Fire Department is rolling out its annual fund drive, mailing out letters to businesses and residents seeking donations to keep the four companies running. This improved rating is a credit to the firefighters, Comm Center and water authority. All donations are equally shared between the four companies.”

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to Tamaqua Borough Hall, 320 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.