February 12, 2008 - Mayor and Fire Chief to Make Major Announcement Concerning City Fire Rating at Today’s Council

Rated Class 1, the highest distinction

Mayor Cedric Glover and Fire Chief David Glass will make a major announcement concerning the city’s fire class rating at today’s City Council meeting, scheduled for 3 p.m. The Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) recently completed a full audit and review of the city’s fire and water departments and the results of that report are expected to be divulged at today’s Council meeting.

The Fire Department was rated Class 1, the highest distinction, buy the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana for the first time in 1998 and again after review in 2003. The rating serves as a measurement for insurance underwriters to set their fire rates for commercial and residential property in the city. The lower the class rating (range from 1-10) the higher level of fire service resources, including water supply, are said to be available - thus a greater chance at minimizing property damage from a fire.

Areas evaluated by PIAL in their percentage of the rating include:

• Receiving and handling fire alarms: 10%
• Fire Department Emergency Operations/equipment, Fire Prevention efforts, and training: 50%
• Water Supply: 40%

The Fire department must receive an overall minimum of 90.0% of the above criteria to maintain its Class 1 status. They finished with a 90.66% in 1998 and 90.30%. In a 2006 report and study, the Class 1 status of the Shreveport Fire Department saved commercial and residential property owners $3.7 million in insurance premiums annually over a lower class rating. Complete details of the latest rating, including how each evaluation area fared will be released at the meeting.