Some businesses in northern Wake County could see a decrease in fire insurance premiums thanks to improved ratings by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the Office of State Fire Marshal.
Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey yesterday announced that the Durham Highway Fire Department has improved its fire rating from 3 to 2. Durham Highway, located north of Leesville Road, is the third department in the unincorporated areas of Wake County to achieve the class 2 rating.
“We’re extremely proud of the Durham Highway Fire Department,” said Matt Calabria, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners’ Public Safety Committee. “Our local fire departments are working hard to make our residents safer than ever before.”
Fire ratings are based on inspections that examine how well a local fire department can protect your community and home. Insurance companies use these ratings to determine how much they’ll charge to insure businesses, so improvements can mean significant savings for commercial structures.
The North Carolina Response Rating System’s scale ranges from one (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state). While any rating does not necessarily indicate poor service, a more favorable rating does suggest that a department is better equipped overall to respond to fires – and, therefore, can result in lower insurance rates in that district.
The inspection, which is required by the state on a regular basis, looks for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source. State law requires OSFM officials to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or fewer.
“This is a great accomplishment for members of the Durham Highway Fire Department,” said Darrell Alford, director of Wake County Fire Services. “We are very proud of the work that occurs everyday to protect residents in the Durham Highway response district.”
Business owners in the town and county areas could see reduced insurance premiums based on these new scores by August 2022.
DHFD is a full-service fire and rescue department located in northern Wake County. Serving since 1964, the department responds to emergency calls including fires, vehicle accidents and medical calls.
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