Isle of Wight says ISO fire-protection ratings improved countywide; score changes effective Nov. 1

Emergency Manager Will Drury told the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors that the county’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings improved “in every fire district remarkably,” based on an in‑person assessment that will take effect Nov. 1. Drury said ISO measures three categories — 911/communications (10%), fire department operations (50%) and water supply (40%) — and that county investments in capital, personnel and mutual aid helped raise scores.

Drury said the largest practical countywide strength is the communications center and that four of five districts achieved strong points for water supply. He also highlighted documentation and records management in the personnel category as an area needing improvement and said staff are transitioning to a new records program to address that weakness. “We only had eight weeks to prepare,” he said, thanking fire chiefs and public‑works and GIS staff for the quick effort.

Drury told board members the ISO rating is a tool some insurers use to set premiums and encouraged residents to contact their insurance carriers after Nov. 1 to learn whether the new ratings affect policy costs. He said the county does not set insurance premiums but that recurring savings are possible if a resident’s insurer weights ISO ratings.