Manhattan Fire Protection District Achieves ISO Class 1 Rating

MANHATTAN, IL — The Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD), in cooperation with local water services and Laraway Communications Center, has earned the highest Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating it awards, Fire Chief Steve Malone announced Nov. 5.

Manhattan’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has been upgraded from a Class 2 rating to a Class 1, which indicates superior fire protection, as the result of an evaluation completed by ISO.
The Class 1 distinction, held by only 393 out of 39,000 fire departments throughout the country, and one of only 26 out of 2,000 fire departments in the state, places Manhattan among the highest-rated fire departments in the nation.

“Through this evaluation, ISO has recognized MFPD’s efforts in reducing risk and loss in the community,” Malone said. “The achievement of a Class 1 Public Protection Classification clearly demonstrates that the MFPD is continually seeking ways to raise the level of service, excellence and commitment the fire district has to the public safety of our citizens.”

The new rating is expected to benefit both commercial and residential property owners through potential insurance premium reductions.

In 2019, Manhattan Fire Protection District began an aggressive one-year program to improve its PPC rating with a variety of comprehensive efforts, including reduced response time, improved documentation of training, pre-fire planning and new equipment and strengthening partnerships with other village and township agencies as well as Laraway Communications Center (LCC).

The Fire District and the Village of Manhattan have progressively worked together to maintain safe environments through fire prevention codes and enforcement by conducting fire inspections, regular reviews of commercial properties and working with property owners to maintain safe environments for their employees and the visiting public.

As part of the Fire District’s community risk reduction efforts, regular fire and life safety education programs and prevention activities are provided to the general public and older adult population. The Fire District partners with Manhattan public and private schools to provide regular fire safety and risk reduction sessions with school aged children.
Homeowners Insurance Savings

What does MFPD’s improved public protection classification mean for homeowners?

According to the fire district, residents should contact their insurance company to make sure the improved protection classification rating is reflected on their homeowner’s policy, for any potential savings; savings will vary by company and other circumstances surrounding their policy. While most insurance companies use the ISO Public Protection Classification System as a factor on homeowner’s insurance, not all of them use the program.