Latest ISO Ratings for Kershaw County

July 26, 2016

Kershaw County Fire Service
Department of Safety & Emergency Services
515 Walnut Street
Camden, SC 29020
803.425.1522

The Kershaw County Department of Safety and Emergency Services released the results of their latest ISO evaluation Monday Morning. That evaluation, conducted by the Insurance Services Office, sets the fire rating for homes and business in affected areas. Those ratings are used by insurance companies to help determine the rates set for homeowner’s coverage. The areas of focus in the most recent survey were the Buffalo Mt. Pisgah, Blaney, and Shepard Fire Districts.

As a result of the survey, residents and businesses in Buffalo Mt. Pisgah and Shepard Fire Service areas will drop from an ISO 7/10 to an ISO 5/10.  While Blaney Fire Service areas will drop from an ISO 6/10 to an ISO 5/10.  Blaney and Shepard’s ratings will go into effect on September 1, 2016 while Buffalo Mt. Pisgah’s rating will go into effect on November 1, 2016. 

The rating applies to any home or business within 5 road miles of a main station or substation in those service areas.   A decrease normally results in significant savings in fire insurance. Homeowners should check with their agents in order to see if they qualify for savings.

ISO evaluates fire departments on a regular basis. During the evaluation, ISO grades several aspects of the department including: personnel, training, equipment, and documentation. ISO also examines the communication system (dispatch center) and the community’s water supply.  Mathematical formulas are then used to determine a grade for each category.  These grades determine where the department falls on a scale of 1 to 10.  An ISO rating of 1 is the best coverage rating, while an ISO rating of 10 is no coverage.