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ire station 19, the South Pamlico Volunteer Fire Department serving Oriental and the surrounding area, received an upgraded Fire Insurance Classification Rating in October. That could mean good things for homeowners and commercial insurance.

SPVFD Station 19 was at a rating of 6. After the inspection, conducted by the Office of the State Fire Marshall, that rating has been upgraded to a 5.

From the NC Department of Insurance:

The NCRS [North Carolina Response Rating System] ranges from 1 (the highest possible) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state), with most rural departments falling into the 9S category.

Higher ratings, like a 5, can result in lower insurance rates in the fire district. “Ones, twos, threes, and even fours – that’s your cities, your paid departments,” said Eric Kindle, EMS Captain and Assistant Fire Chief at Station 19. “In a volunteer community like this, the best is a five or six.”

“Some insurance companies may require the insured supply proof,” said Fire Chief Mike Guzzo, “Since SPVFD is supported by 2 independent water companies, we have 2 certificates, one for the houses in the town of Oriental and have their water supply; the other for houses outside of the Town and receive water from Pamlico County.”

This new fire rating will go into effect February 1, 2020.

• Download the Insurance Rating documents for Oriental and Pamlico County.
• Read the full insurance notices here.

Posted Wednesday January 15, 2020 by Allison DeWeese