Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey recently announced that the Swift Creek Fire Department improved its fire rating from Class 4 to Class 2. This means residents in this district could see their insurance premiums decrease.

“This is a great accomplishment by the Swift Creek Fire Department,” said Shinica Thomas, chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners. “We’re proud to see how our local fire departments are constantly working to improve, making our residents safer than ever before. We thank our firefighters for their dedication and hard work.”

Fire ratings are based on routine inspections that examine how well a local fire department can protect the community, homes and businesses. The inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source. State law requires OSFM officials to inspect departments serving districts of 100,000 people or fewer.

The North Carolina Response Rating System’s scale ranges from 1 (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state). While any rating does not necessarily indicate poor service, a more favorable rating does suggest that a department is better equipped overall to respond to fires — and therefore can result in lower insurance rates in that district.

“This improved rating is a testament to the hard work of many at the Swift Creek Fire Department,” said Wake County Fire Services Director Darrell Alford. “Wake County is very fortunate to have a great response system in place for our residents.”

The Swift Creek Fire Department serves residents in the southwestern part of Wake County. The department is staffed by volunteer and part-time staff who provide public safety services to the community around the clock. It is the ninth Wake County department serving an unincorporated area to receive a Class 2 grade.