COLUSA, CA (MPG) — The Williams Fire Protection Authority will receive an upgraded insurance rating next year, a change that could help lower costs for homeowners and businesses in the city, the department said.
On Nov. 17, 2025, the Insurance Services Organization notified the Fire Authority and the City of Williams that the Public Protection Classification for the jurisdiction will improve from Class 3 to Class 2 on March 1, 2026. ISO grades fire protection on a scale from Class 1, the highest, to Class 10, the lowest.
“This improved PPC rating may have a significant positive impact on insurance rates for both commercial and residential properties,” Fire Chief Jeff Gilbert said.
ISO evaluates more than 37,000 fire departments across the country. Nationwide, only 502 departments hold a Class 1 rating and 2,109 hold a Class 2 rating, according to the release. That places Williams in a select group of departments that provide a strong level of fire protection for their communities.
Gilbert said the higher score reflects cooperation among several local agencies.
“This improved classification is the result of a collaborative effort by the City of Williams Water Department, the Colusa County Sheriff’s Dispatch Department, and the dedicated men and women, both volunteer and paid staff, who serve within the Williams Fire Protection Authority,” he said.
The rural area outside the city limits will receive a new ISO rating after January 2026. Residents in those areas may see separate changes in how insurers evaluate their properties once that process is complete.
Gilbert urged residents and business owners to contact their insurance providers after the new rating takes effect.
“The Fire Authority encourages residents and businesses to contact their insurance providers on or after March 1, 2026, to discuss how the improved rating may affect their insurance costs,” he said.