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In determining Lincolnwood's Public Protection Classification (PPC), ISO conducted a field survey in July, 2008. ISO staff visited Lincolnwood to observe and evaluate features of the fire-protection systems. Using a manual called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS), ISO objectively evaluates three major areas:

• Fire Alarm and Communications Systems
  A review of the fire alarm system accounts for 10% of the total classification. The review focuses on the community's facilities and support for handling and dispatching fire alarms.
• Fire Department
  A review of the fire department accounts for 50% of the total classification. ISO focuses on a fire department's first-alarm response and initial attack to minimize potential loss. Here, ISO reviews such items as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department personnel, and training.
• Water Supply
  A review of the water-supply system accounts for 40% of the total classification. ISO reviews the water supply a community uses to determine the adequacy for fire-suppression purposes. They also consider hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants. (ISO scored our hydrants 100 points out of a possible 100 points)

ISO reviews the fire suppression of a community and assigns a PPC – a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection, and a Class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression does not meet minimum recognition criteria. The grading then undergoes a quality review. Lincolnwood received a notification letter last week identifying Lincolnwood's new PPC rating of a Class 4 with an effective date of April 1, 2009. This was an improvement over last PPC review in 1991 when Lincolnwood received a rating of a Class 5.

Listed below are the number of Illinois fire departments and their related PPC Class ratings. Class 4 fire departments totaled 9.3% of the total fire departments (2,453) that received a rating. Those departments that received a higher classification (Class 1-3) equaled 7.4% while the remaining 83.3% received a lower classification rating (Class 5-10).

This improvement in Lincolnwood's ISO rating is in direct relationship to the planning that has been happening in this Village for the last 20 years. Starting with the 1989 Water Distribution System Analysis, the 2002 Water Distribution System Study and the most recent 2008 Water System Analysis: NE TIF District Model, these documents have provided the guidance for capital projects involving Lincolnwood's infrastructure during this period. Some of these projects include:

§         Complete upgrade and automation of the pumping facilities

§         Installation of the 1.3 million gallon standpipe

§         Installation of a booster pumping station and pump replacements

§         Systematic addition and replacement of new water mains

§         Unidirectional flushing of our complete water system

§         Complete replacement of the Villages' fire hydrants

§         Emergency water supply and connections with other communities

§         Implemented a risk assessment plan for Village's water distribution system

The Mayor, Village Board and members of the Fire & Water Committee should be proud of their accomplishments and the resultant improvement of our Village's ISO rating to Class 4. Congratulations also to the residents and business owners of the Village as they should benefit by seeing lower fire insurance rates once this re-classification goes in effect on April 1, 2009.