Jonesborough is working to maintain their current ISO rating

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — Jonesborough leaders are considering a new plan to extend firefighting services beyond the town’s limits.

A report from the Insurance Services Office recommended that the town add more firefighters to improve response times in its incorporated areas.

If changes are not made, fire insurance premiums may increase for homeowners.

Jonesborough Mayor Chuck Vest said this is something the town hopes to avoid.

“When we respond to a fire in the county, we need to respond with four firefighters,” he said. “In the past, we have responded with two. And so they said, unless we start responding with four out there, they are going to change our ISO rating from five to ten, which means our property and homeowner’s insurance will go up.”

An ISO rating, also known as a Public Protection Classification (PPC), measures how effectively a community is protected by its fire department, with ten representing a community with an ineffective fire service.