The new Ranch Road Extension is helping the Clayton Fire Department reach residents faster and in some cases, dramatically lowering their insurance premiums. 

Thanks to the new pass-through roadway that recently opened near the intersection of Clayton Blvd. and NC HWY 42, many previously hard-to-reach homes are now within six miles of Clayton Fire Station No. 2. This travel-time improvement means a potential ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating drop from a 10 to a 2 for some homeowners, a change that can significantly reduce fire insurance costs. 

“This road may look simple on the surface, but it’s a game changer for emergency response,” said Clayton Deputy Fire Chief Stacey Turner. “We can now reach parts of our service area that used to be just over the six-mile mark far more quickly. That directly improves our ability to save lives and property during fires and medical emergencies.” 

ISO ratings, which range from 1 (best) to 10 (worst), are used by insurance companies to assess risk and set premium rates. Previously, homes more than six miles from a fire station could receive the highest rating, ISO 10. 

“This new road brings several homes into a closer response range, allowing them to qualify for the same ISO 2 rating as homes in the heart of town,” said Turner. 

According to Turner, faster response times can also make a critical difference in cardiac arrest cases, serious car accidents, and other medical emergencies. 

The road improvement primarily benefits residents living in unincorporated areas of Johnston County and the Town of Clayton’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). 

A full list of all 93 impacted addresses is available online at TownofClaytonNC.org/ISO. Residents who believe they may be affected but do not see their address listed can fill out an online form on the to have their location verified by Clayton Fire Department staff. 

“This is a great example of how infrastructure improvements can directly support public safety,” said Turner. “When seconds matter, quicker access saves lives.”