New Ratings for Putnam Twp. Fire Department Spell SavingsNew Ratings for Putnam Twp. Fire Department Spell Savings

2/8/14 - Homeowners in Putnam Township and the Village of Pinckney are being reminded to give their insurance companies a ring about new ratings that could result in lower rates and savings. The Insurance Service office or ISO is an organization that provides statistical information on risk and its ratings impact most fire departments. ISO collects information on a community’s public fire protection and a department’s capability to respond to fires before analyzing the data. It then assigns a rating classifying a community’s ability to suppress fires from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents the best public protection while 10 is no recognized protection. The Putnam Township rating dropped from a 9/10 rating down to 7, while the Village of Pinckney rating went from a 5/6 to a 4. Putnam Township Fire Chief Greg Amburgey tells WHMI the ratings are the result a two year study and work with ISO, adding they are working hard to help save residents money during these tough times. Almost every aspect of a municipality and its fire department is evaluated in determining the ISO rating, with points given for everything from the training aids a fire department owns to the distance between fire hydrants. While ISO does notify insurance companies of the ratings, homeowners are advised to contact their providers directly and inform them of the change. (JM)