Residents of Southlake are expected to see some improvements in their fire insurance coverage costs after the Insurance Rating Office granted an upgrade in the fire department's rating.

The Southlake Fire Department's rating jumps from a Class 4 to a Class 1, which is the best designation, in September following a comprehensive audit and evaluation of three focus areas in the city.

"We've actually been in the process for about two years now," Southlake Chief Mike Starr said. "Last week, we got notice from the State Fire Marshal's office that we had been accepted."

Review areas include emergency communication system capabilities, fire department quality and an evaluation of the city's water supply and water system.

Starr called the rating change an achievement that benefits both citizens and businesses, alike, and a cooperative effort that involves much of the city government and its service departments.

"The reality is the city as a whole has been working on it and preparing it for the last 10 years or more," Starr said. "It goes all the way back to when we were looking at station locations and designing the headquarters building. The question was how best to cover the city with all of the ISO requirements in mind so that one day we'd reach the rating we're at today."

Starr said the city's consultant on the rating effort expected about 11-percent savings for homeowners and 13-percent savings for commercial policyholders.

"Southlake is one of those cities that will always strive to improve, no matter what the case is, because there's always room for improvement no matter how good you are," Starr said.