Effective Tuesday, Sept. 1, the area of Bulloch County served by the Bulloch County Fire Department – which is all of the county outside the city of Statesboro – has an Insurance Services Office, or ISO, public fire protection rating of “4/10,” according to a county government announcement.

“Under this new rating, the Class 4 classification applies to all areas within five road miles from any recognized Bulloch County fire station, while properties beyond five road miles receive a Class 10 rating,” stated the announcement issued by Dal Cannady, communications director employed by the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners.

The ISO is not a government agency. It is a private company that supplies information to the insurance industry. The public fire protection ratings are issued on a scale of 10 to 1, where a “10” is no recognized public fire protection and a “1” is the best available protection.

Previously, the area served by the Bulloch County Fire Department provided a split 4/4Y rating within five miles of its stations, while areas in the county more than five miles away had a “10” rating, and reportedly still do. Apparently what has been eliminated is the “4Y” distinction, where the “Y” indicated a somewhat lower degree of service in locations not near a “creditable water source” such as a hydrant or designated pond. The BCFD has been expanding its use of tanker trunks and adding updated apparatus.

The department, with funding support from the commissioners, has also expanded its staffing and the number of fire stations staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by career firefighters.

It now has 16 fire stations. Six of them are now staffed 24/7, including Station 1, which is paired with the Emergency Medical Service headquarters on Grady Street in Statesboro, Station 2 in Portal, Station 3 in Register, Station 7 in Brooklet, Station 9 at Clito, and Station 16 off Fair Road/Highway 67. The other 10 are volunteer stations.

In a follow-up email, the Statesboro Herald asked the identity of those staffed stations and whether the “4” rating within five miles of a station applies to all 16 stations or only the six 24/7-staffed stations.

“I’m told it includes the volunteer stations as well,” Cannady replied.

The ISO’s public protection classification program evaluates fire suppression capabilities of local communities, and insurance companies use the scores as a key component in determining property insurance underwriting guidelines and rates for residential and commercial properties.

“The new ISO rating demonstrates the professionalism of the Bulloch County Fire Department and their dedication to serving the people of Bulloch County,” said county commission Chairman David Bennett. “The improved ISO rating quantifies an improvement in the services provided by the BCFD and will result in a homeowners insurance savings for many people.”

Earlier this year, the Statesboro Fire Department announced that its primary service area, now Statesboro to its city limits, would see its ISO protection rating also improve, from a previous “2” to a “1,” the best available, also effective Sept. 1.