Lawrenceville, Ga., March 8, 2012) – Gwinnett Fire Chief Bill Myers had good news for commissioners Tuesday when he reported on the results of an inspection by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), a leading independent source of information about property/casualty insurance. Despite a 41 percent increase in population since the last ISO visit in 1996, Gwinnett County retained a Class 4 rating for its fire suppression capabilities.

The ISO conducts a scheduled inspection and assigns a rating on a scale of 1 to 10 that indicates how well a community is prepared to fight fires. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, while Class 10 indicates an area’s fire suppression program does not meet the ISO’s minimum standards. A community’s ISO class rating is one factor that insurance companies consider when setting residential and commercial property insurance premiums.

Myers attributed the positive rating to several factors, including a commitment to benchmarking against standards set by ISO and other organizations as well as an ambitious expansion program that added 10 new fire stations and engine companies, two ladder/truck companies, eight ambulances, one squad, one technical rescue unit, one new battalion, a centralized and fully equipped reserve apparatus program and additional fire personnel during the last 15 years. He also indicated that training factors heavily into the rating and that continually improving the County’s fire training academy is a priority.

“Moving forward, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has a business plan that focuses on strategies to improve geographic coverage and response times,” said Myers. “We are also focusing greater attention on special circumstances such as medical coverage, the rapid expansion of Georgia Gwinnett College and increases in residential and commercial density.”

Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash thanked Chief Myers and his staff for their approach to protecting lives and property. “This is a great fire department that has a great story to tell,” said Nash.

For more information about programs and services provided the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Department or to find a fire station near you, visit the county’s website at www.gwinnettcounty.com.