Swannanoa Volunteer Fire Department receives Class 2 insurance rating

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the new insurance rating of the Swannanoa Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad on Oct. 21 as Class 2, the second highest rating possible.

"Fire departments are rated from 10 to 1. One's the pinnacle," Causey said. "Less than 1% of the fire departments in the country or the state have a Class 1." 

The Class 2 rating means better response times, training, equipment and a smooth operation as a whole. Causey said when it comes to insurance, an improved rating means a reduction on payments for homeowners. 

For each step that a department improves, Causey said about an 8.5% reduction is added. Serving as the state fire marshal, in addition to being the commissioner, Causey campaigned on the promise to work closely with the state's fire departments.

According to the commissioner, only 17 departments are rated Class 1 in the state. An additional number of roughly 75 departments statewide hold a Class 2 rating. 

"It means a more effective fire department for the community," Causey said.