Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Retains Top Fire Protection Rating After 2024 Review

Cowlitz County, WA. — Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue announced that it has retained its Fire Protection Class (PC) Rating following the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau’s (WSRB) 2024 site visit and evaluation.

The district’s protection ratings remain:

1. Class 3 – Inside Kelso city limits.
2. Class 3 – Outside Kelso but within five miles of a fire station and 1,000 feet of a hydrant.
3. Class 5 – Within five miles of a station but without a hydrant nearby.
4. Class 9 – Between five and seven miles from a fire station.
5. Class 9A – More than seven miles from a fire station.

A revision is being considered to update ratings for homes between the five- and seven-mile distances. The district also retained its WSRB Tender credit, which recognizes its capacity to transport large volumes of water to fires.

The new rating takes effect November 1, 2025, with the next evaluation scheduled for 2029. Cowlitz 2 is among only 75 departments statewide—out of 662 communities—with a PC rating of 3.

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein credited the achievement to the dedication of volunteers and staff, as well as partners who supported documentation and the evaluation process.

Maintaining a Class 3 rating helps prevent potential insurance rate increases for homeowners, as many insurers rely on WSRB data to determine fire insurance premiums.

More details about WSRB ratings can be found on the WSRB FAQ page.