CARRBORO, NC – The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department has earned a Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating of Class 1 for the Town of Carrboro and Class 2/9E for the South Orange Fire District. These new, elite ratings reflect the department's exceptional fire protection capabilities and will become effective on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
A Class 1 rating is the highest possible score a department can achieve, indicating a superior level of fire protection. This high rating can also lead to lower insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses within the community.
Carrboro Fire-Rescue Chief Will Potter attributed the success to his team and community leadership. “This distinguished rating is a direct result of the exemplary service and unwavering dedication of Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department personnel," said Chief Potter. "It affirms our department's profound commitment to its mission, the ongoing pursuit of operational excellence, and our pledge to ensure the highest standard of service for the Carrboro community. Furthermore, this accomplishment would not have been possible without the vital support and strategic investment in public safety provided by the Town Council and the Town Manager’s Office.”
“This achievement is a proud moment for Carrboro and a testament to the skill, dedication, and professionalism of our Fire-Rescue Department,” said Town Manager Patrice Toney. “Earning a Class 1 rating reflects not only the excellence of our firefighters but also our community’s commitment to investing in public safety. I am grateful to Chief Potter, his outstanding team, and our Town Council for ensuring Carrboro remains a safe, resilient, and well-protected place to live, work, and visit.”
In a ceremony held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Brian Cox, a representative from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, praised the department for its achievement . State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor also extends his congratulations to Chief Potter for the commendable performance of the Carrboro Fire Department and the dedicated efforts of its team. “The residents of Carrboro and the South Orange Fire District can take comfort in knowing this highly capable team of firefighters from the Carrboro Fire Department is safeguarding them and their belongings in the event of an emergency,” added Taylor.
The ratings were assigned following a routine, comprehensive inspection conducted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS). This system evaluates fire departments on their staffing levels, equipment, maintenance, training, communications, and water source availability.
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