New London — The New London Fire Department recently was subjected to an extensive review of its operations and procedures, and was rated one of the top 4,000 departments in the country.

The New London department scored a 76.15 out of a possible 105.50 points, giving it a Class 3 public protection classification. Only about 3,900 of 48,800 departments reviewed nationwide are ranked as Class 3 or better, according to a report based on the review.

The review, conducted by the New Jersey-based Insurance Services Office, considered the department's emergency communication systems, the condition of its equipment, the level of training firefighters receive, its firefighting operations and the city's water supply.

“I’m elated that we were able to sustain our classification,” Fire Chief Henry E. Kydd said. “If it wasn’t for our staff and the men who work under me, we couldn’t have accomplished this.”

When the department last was reviewed, 15 years ago, it also was rated as a Class 3, Kydd said.

The chief said he plans to make recommendations to the department’s safety committee based on the review’s findings. In particular, Kydd said he plans to target emergency communication and training as areas for improvement.

“There is always room for improvement in everything,” he said, “though some areas are very difficult to improve in.”

The fire department’s rating not only affects the department and the city’s insurance costs, but also has a direct bearing on fire insurance rates for every city property owner, said Paul Gills, the city’s risk manager.

“This benefits the homeowners, property owners and business owners of the city because the rating is used as a factor with any kind of insurance. Class 3 is a very favorable rating and it has a direct bearing on the premium costs,” Gills said. “If we were to lose the Class 3 rating, it could have an instantaneous effect on everyone’s homeowners and commercial insurance.” 

Kydd said he is proud that his department has been able to operate at a high level even as it faces persistent manpower issues and perennially tight budgets.

“Despite all the things the department is faced with every year — a lean budget, especially in the area of training — we’ve been able to maintain the department at this level,” Kydd said. “I am just overly pleased to keep the rating, and hopefully in the future we can get the support and maybe improve us to a Class 2 rating, which is not very far off.”

c.young@theday.com

Twitter: @ColinAYoung