Fire protection in township areas was first recognized (in its present form) for rating insurance credit in 1938. Today, the Insurance Services Office recognizes that more than 90% of the townships in Ohio have a good standard of fire protection covering more than 96% of the population in the unincorporated areas of the state. Township fire departments are staffed with full-time and/or volunteer firefighters. Ohio law also permits townships to contract with municipalities and other jurisdictions in order to protect lives and property more effectively and reduce insurance rates.