The Cinnaminson Fire Department was recently evaluated by the Insurance Services Organization and received a 2 rating, the second highest available.
“The Cinnaminson Fire Department is extremely proud to announce that it is one of the most elite fire departments in the State of New Jersey and the Nation,” a press release from the department said.
“Through dedication and hard work, the Cinnaminson Fire Department was recently elevated by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) to a Class 2 Fire Department.”
The ISO rates fire departments and their communities, determining what residents and businesses should pay in homeowners and fire insurances.
Items that ISO look for and rate include:
- Water supply
- Fire pump capacity
- Apparatus and equipment
- Communications
- Training
- Staffing
- Response times and distances
- Fire inspections
- Fire investigation
- Public education
“We knew a few years ago that we were due to be rated in 2016,” Chief William Kramer said. “Because ISO looks back between three and five years, we started working toward the goal of increasing our rating from a 4 to a 3 in 2011.”
The department began to increase staffing, both career and volunteer, improve training and improve the in-station duty crew program that volunteers staff.
“We also ensured that apparatus and equipment met the required annual testing standards, and increased the use of automatic mutual aid from contiguous municipalities to ensure that enough firefighters arrived on location within minimum national timeframes,” Kramer said in the release.
Frank Ellison, Chairman of the Cinnaminson Board of Fire Commissioners expressed his appreciation and admiration to the officers and members of the department for such a great accomplishment.
“This effort is one that will not only benefit our residents and business owners by knowing how capable their fire department is, but should show in a reduction in the cost of fire insurance for every property owner in Cinnaminson. The entire community should be as proud as I am.”
Chief Kramer spoke with Cinn City News this morning about the department possibly reaching a 1 rating in the future.
“The highest rating a fire department can achieve is a 1, which is usually reserved for departments that are 100 percent career, but there are other ways in which a department can achieve a 1 rating. It just takes time and a ton of hard work on the part of all our members, but it can be done.”
The rating comes as the department celebrates 100 years of service to the community of Cinnaminson.
“As the Cinnaminson Fire Department celebrates 100 Years of Service to the Community this year, we are already setting the bar higher for the next 100 years,” Kramer said.
“I am extremely proud of my members and the Board of Fire Commissioners for their combined effort in obtaining such a prestigious classification.”
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