Snohomish County Fire District 12 has improved to a Protection Class 3 rating by the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB), meaning thousands of homeowners could see lower insurance premiums. The rating change also means the entire Marysville Fire District, which includes District 12, will be rated at Class 3 effective May 2020.

WSRB ratings range from Class 1 to 10, with 1 being the best rating. A lower rating may allow insurance companies to offer lower rates based on the fire district’s ability to extinguish fires more quickly and effectively.

“We have worked extremely hard to achieve this lower rating for our residents,” Fire Marshal Tom Maloney said. “From our business safety inspections to firefighter training to vehicle maintenance - everything we’re doing is helping make our community safer and this new rating shows that.”

Within the Marysville Fire District, the City of Marysville is already rated at Class 3 while Fire District 12 was previously rated at Class 4. The new Class 3 rating for District 12 applies to dwellings and commercial properties located within five miles of a fire station and having adequate fire hydrants and water supply.

In determining rates, the WSRB evaluates the effort a community has made to provide fire-protection services. Factors include fire department, water supply, emergency communication and fire safety control (code enforcement and fire safety education).

WSRB recommends residents and business owners contact their insurance company to determine the impact of the change on their insurance premiums. Impacts may vary by insurer.

For more information on the rating and a link to the WSRB reports, click here.