Shelby Approves Study That May Save Residents on Homeowner's Insurance

Fire Chief Gene Shepherd's request to combine efforts with Washington Township for an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Grading Review of the department by ISO Slayer was approved.

ISO Slayer will recommend ways to improve the township's fire safety rating, which would ultimately bring down homeowner’s insurance costs for residents, said Shepherd.

Once ISO Slayer’s recommendations are made and implemented, the ISO will then evaluate the fire department. “ISO Slayer is an independent company that will get me in shape before I actually call the ISO to do the full study,” Shepherd said.

The cost sharing with Washington Township allows ISO Slayer to do both studies at the same time for both communities. The original cost of $8,400 was approved by Washington Township. The combining efforts bring the investment down to $6,800.  

ISO will look at all aspects of the fire departments including a re-evaluation of hydrants, equipment and training and then assigns a Public Protection Classification Rating. Those ratings become a factor in how much insurance companies charge homeowners for fire protection.

The ratings are based on a 1 to 10 scale. The lower the number, the safer a community is considered.

The last time ISO rated Shelby Township was in 1994. The township’s ratings range from 4 to 9 depending on a portion of the land’s proximity to fire hydrants.

The goal is to lower the township rating to a 3, said Shepherd.

Shepherd said he recently met with the Groveland Township fire chief, who said the department’s ratings dropped from a 9 to 3 and 4.

The Fire Department was reviewed two years ago on its financials. The study suggested the department do a new ISO report.