Moncks Corner ISO Fire Rating Improves to a Class 2

Moncks Corner- July 1, 2020 – Insurance rates should be going down in the Town of
Moncks Corner soon due to the results of a recent Public Protection Classification
(PPC) evaluation. The PPC is an evaluation of the fire services staffing, training,
outreach, equipment as well as communications and water supply. According to the
Insurance Services Office (ISO), “PPC is important to communities and fire
departments as well. Communities whose rating improves may get lower insurance
rates. PPC also provides fire departments with a valuable benchmark, and is used by
many departments as a valuable tool when planning, budgeting, and justifying fire
protection improvements.”

The evaluation, conducted earlier this year, resulted in the Town of Moncks
Corner reducing its rating from a Class 3 down to a Class 2. This improvement was
accomplished during a period of significant growth for the Town. It came about after a
concerted effort by the Town to improve the Fire Department’s fire suppression
capabilities. The Town recently opened its second fire station in the Foxbank
neighborhood to better serve the residents and businesses on the Highway 52 corridor
and along Cypress Gardens Road.

“While the Town has maintained its commitment to invest in the safety of our community, this improvement comes down to the knowledge and commitment of our professional firefighters and our partnerships with neighboring public safety agencies. Our fire fighters analyzed the flow data to improved hydrant selection and their history of public outreach was rewarded by a section of the evaluation that looks at what we are doing to reduce the risk of fire in our community.

Jeff Lord, Town Administrator

“It has been an important goal of Town Council to improve the Town’s ISO fire rating, and we couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated employees for making that happen. This evaluation assures that our citizens are receiving competent and professional fire protection services, getting more for their money and provides another benefit to annexation for those who live outside the Town and may want to consider joining the Town they already call home.

Mayor Michael Lockliear

Our firefighters have worked very hard to
ensure that the citizens of Moncks Corner are served with a professional fire service. It’s great to see the hard work and dedication of our fire department be rewarded with a
reduction in our Town’s ISO rating. It’s important to remember that things like this are only achievable when we work together and support each other, so I would like to thank the Berkeley County 911 Center, our neighboring Rural Fire Departments, Berkeley County Water and Sanitation and the Moncks Corner Public Works Commission for all that they do to support our mission.”

Bobby Gass, Fire Chief

In 2019, only twenty percent of the communities in the state and five percent in
the nation had a rating of Class Two or better. According to ISO the PPC plays an
important role in the underwriting process at insurance companies. Most insurers use
the PPC as part of their decision-making when deciding what to charge for personal or
commercial property insurance. The new rating will take effect October 1, 2020.