Colbert VFD lowers ISO rating

Colbert’s ISO rating dropped from a 6/9 to a 5/8B rating. The first number (5) is for homes within five road miles of the station and within 1,000 feet of a hydrant. The second number (8B) is for homes within five miles of the station but farther than 1,000 feet from a hydrant.

The new, lower ratings will take effect June. 1. ISO is the leading supplier of data and analytics for the property/casualty insurance industry. ISO ratings for fire departments are based on a variety of criteria, such as how those departments handle fire alarms and emergency calls, whether the department has sufficient fire fighting equipment, whether firefighters are properly trained and what sort of water supply the department has.

Colbert Fire Department Chief Tim Wyatt said the lower ratings show the group effort of local firefighters, not just in Colbert, but in Madison County.

“A lot of guys are doing a lot of hard work,” he said. “Surrounding departments have helped out too with their equipment and backing us up. We’ve got some really good ISO ratings in Madison County.”
Wyatt said he appreciates the support the Colbert VFD, which includes 22 members, gets from the citizens of Colbert and from Madison County leaders. He also said he is pleased for the department to be able to lower insurance premiums for Colbert residents during a tough economic time.