DAVIDSON – The Davidson Fire Department has a new feather in its cap. The State Fire Marshal’s office has given the department a better ISO, or fire suppression, rating, which could mean insurance savings for local businesses.

In a news release, Davidson Fire Chief Jeff Almond said the department’s rating improved from 6 to 5. The new rating is used to calculate property insurance premiums for businesses inside the town, and the new rating takes effect for insurance purposes on Feb. 1.

The rating is “comprised of many aspects of our business  – water supply, equipment, apparatus, members, training, response and many other factors,” Almond said.

“We focus on our ISO rating to help our customers, the public we serve, achieve the lowest insurance premiums practical,” he said. “But we place even more importance on preventing loss of life and property during emergencies.”

Local businesses should contact their insurance carrier about the effect of the rating change.