PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Palo Pinto County ESD No. 1 Announces ISO Rating Reduction for Graford Community
The Palo Pinto County Emergency Services District No. 1 (ESD1) is proud to announce that the ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating for the Graford Community has been officially reduced to Class 5/5Y, down from its previous Class 9 designation. This significant improvement will strengthen fire protection for residents and businesses and may open the door to reduced insurance costs or new insurance eligibility for some properties.
The ISO, or Insurance Services Office, evaluates a community’s fire protection capabilities and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) grade ranging from 1 (exemplary protection) to 10 (does not meet minimum criteria). Insurance companies use PPC information for marketing, underwriting, and to help establish fair premiums for homeowners and businesses. In general, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good PPC grade is substantially lower than in one with a poor grade, assuming all other factors are equal.
“This is a major step forward for Graford,” said Palo Pinto County ESD No. 1 Fire Chief Danny Watkins. “A Class 9 rating meant higher risk and limited insurance options for property owners. With this new Class 5/5Y rating, residents may see reduced premiums, and some properties that were previously uninsurable may now qualify for coverage.”
Why the Reduction Matters
The new rating reflects major advancements in the fire protection capabilities of ESD1 Station 16 – Graford Fire Department, including:
– Increased staffing and availability
– Expanded training hours and readiness
– Improved water supply, storage, and distribution systems
– Enhanced communications and dispatching protocols
– Upgraded fire apparatus condition and deployment.
“These improvements highlight the dedication of our firefighters and the investments made to protect this growing community,” Watkins added.“We also want to thank the City of Graford—especially its water department and public works—for their cooperation, as water supply and distribution play a critical role in ISO scoring.”
What’s Next
Graford is one of several communities benefiting from ESD No. 1’s countywide ISO reduction initiative. Work is already underway to evaluate and improve Station 17 (Possum Kingdom East) and Station 14 –(Strawn) with a goal of completing ISO reductions across the district within the next two years.
A Message to Citizens
Residents and business owners within the coverage area of an ESD No. 1 fire station may be eligible for reduced insurance premiums under their community’s updated PPC rating. Citizens are encouraged to contact their insurance providers in the coming months to confirm potential savings.
“This milestone reflects the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of Palo Pinto County ESD No. 1,” Watkins said. “It underscores the District’s ongoing commitment to protecting the people and property of our county.”
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Danny Watkins
Fire Chief
Palo Pinto County ESD No. 1
55 S. FM 2353
Graford, Texas 76449
