ARLINGTON — A recent evaluation conducted by North County Fire Authority may save some residents money on their homeowners insurance.

The department reported in April that it has received a new fire protection classification from the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau.

That rating, called the Public Protection Classification, is determined by a department’s operations, equipment, staffing levels and water systems, Fire Chief Dale Fulfs said.

North County previously had a rating of eight on a scale of one to 10, with one being the highest and ten 10 being the lowest any department can receive.

Effective July 1, the department will carry a rating of six for home owners whose properties are located within five miles of a responding fire station and have a fire hydrant system within 1,000 feet.

Residents who live outside of those criteria will receive a rating of seven, Fulfs said.

“This evaluation process was a good tool to evaluate all of the improvements that the fire department has been working on over the last several years,” he said. “We have worked hard at improving our level of service and it is always a good feeling to see that it benefits our community.”

That higher rating can mean savings to homeowners in the form of reduced insurance premiums, Fulfs said.

“This is just one more way that North County Fire/EMS is working hard for our residents at ensuring a high level service that is cost-effective to our citizens,” he said.

For more information about the bureau report, visit www.northcountyfireems.com or call 360-652-1246.