POLAND — Insurance ratings in Poland have improved.

A public protection classification is assigned to a community by using a rating schedule, which can improve insurance rates for homeowners and business owners.

Performed by the nonprofit Insurance Services Office, the Western Reserve Joint Fire District recently received the confirmation of its rating going from a 4 down to a 3.

Improved, or lower, insurance rates will likely be observed by businesses within the township, fire Chief David “Chip” Comstock said.

“It demonstrates the district’s continued efforts to assist our residents with receiving the lowest insurance premiums they can receive,” he said.

Poland Village Mayor Tim Sicafuse, who also is in the insurance field, said the community is happy with the news.

“We’re very proud of the fire department to work hard to get this,” Sicafuse said.

A community’s public protection classification is contingent upon:

• Needed fire flows;

• Emergency communications. This counts for 10 percent of the total classification, weighted at 10 points;

• Fire department. This includes personnel, equipment, training and geographic distribution of crews. This counts for half of the classification, weighted at 50 points;

• Water supply, testing hydrants, alternative water supplies. This is weighted at 40 points, and is 40 percent of the classification.

For a volunteer department, a 3 rating is not typically seen, Comstock said, because part of what goes into the rating is how many personnel are available to respond.

ISO ratings are fire protection classes, basing rates on proximity to stations and fire hydrants, for example.

Further points could be earned down the road now that the fire district will make a move to Austintown dispatch this summer, leading to better record keeping, Comstock said.

The insurance rating in Poland has been reduced over the years, he said. At one point, it was a 9, 7 then a 5.

From an insurance standpoint, after the 6-rating threshold, Sicafuse said that sometimes the premium savings aren’t drastic.

Ultimately, each insurance company, after looking at the ISO ratings, has different charges, Sicafuse said.

There is no way to know what each person or business will save, Comstock explained.