BLOOMINGTON -- The city's fire rating improved by one level following a review of the Bloomington Fire Department by the Insurance Services Office.

The insurance office conducts a review of fire department equipment, staffing, training, location of fire stations, communications and water supply systems every 10 years. The ranking is then used by insurance companies to establish premiums in the area for fire insurance.

The city's ranking moved from a Class 4 to a Class 3. The ranking is based on a 1 to 10 scale with 1 being the highest.

The ranking puts Bloomington in the top 7 percent of the 2,453 fire protection areas in Illinois that are assessed by the insurance office.

Bloomington Fire Chief Mike Kimmerling credited the fire department along with the city's water department and communications center for the improved rating.