North Whidbey Fire and Rescue earned a better Fire Protection Class Grade — a rating that could mean lower insurance premiums for private property owners.

The Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau gave the district a grade of 5, an improvement from the district’s previous grade of 6.

The nonprofit grades all community fire departments statewide on a scale of 1 to 10 on their ability to fight fires and prevent them — the lower the score, the better. They examine not just the department but other factors such as access to water supplies, the 911 dispatch system and community fire prevention activities.

Chief Marv Koorn was thrilled with the new grade. The purchase of two new water tenders — trucks with 2,500-gallon water tanks — is part of the reason for the better grade.

What also helped is an agreement the district made with the county that allows fire officials to conduct inspections of commercial buildings within the district. That gives firefighters a chance to know buildings they may have to enter if there were a fire.

Insurance companies use the ratings to set premiums. When a community improves its classification, there is often a corresponding savings in property owner’s insurance premiums, according to the bureau.

While that varies among properties and insurers, Koorn said his own insurer estimates he’ll save somewhere between $50 to $100 a year.

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue covers the incorporated area that spans from Deception Pass south to Libbey Road.