Indian Wells is among the top 6.5% of cities most prepared for fires nationwide, according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO), which recently upgraded the City’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) to Class 2. Insurance companies use PPC ratings to evaluate risk and determine premiums, making them critical factors for both homeowners and businesses.
“Our upgraded PPC classification is a significant achievement that brings great pride to Indian Wells,” said City Manager Chris Freeland. “It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our fire department, the water district and our partners in the Cove Communities. This achievement highlights our commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety and protection for our residents.”
The PPC program provides essential information about fire protection services and rates communities in the United States based on their fire suppression capabilities. A city’s PPC grade is determined by factors such as the necessary water amount for fire suppression, the effectiveness of emergency communications, the fire department’s preparedness and the water supply’s reliability.
To achieve this designation, all three Cove Communities — Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells — were jointly evaluated on their fire suppression delivery system. As a result of the upgraded designation, these communities may experience a decrease in insurance rates.
“The new Class 2 PPC rating will take effect on June 1 of this year,” continued Freeland. “While this designation represents an important milestone for our community, we remain committed to enhancing safety through our emergency preparedness initiatives.”
About Insurance Services Office (ISO)
ISO is an independent company that serves insurance companies, communities, fire departments, insurance regulators and others by providing information about risk. ISO’s expert staff collects information about municipal fire suppression efforts in communities throughout the United States.