City of Riverside Fire Department achieves a Class 1 rating
Published: 12/02/2019
Join us as we celebrate the City of Riverside Fire Department becoming a Class 1 fire department with the ISO (Insurance Service Office) on Tuesday, December 10, at 11:00 am at Fire Station 1, 3401 University Ave., Riverside, Ca 92501.
An ISO (Insurance Services Office) fire score rating is determined based on how well a local fire department can protect their community. Some Insurance companies use the score to help set property insurance rates, as a home or business that is less likely to be severely damaged or destroyed by fire costs less to insure. The Class 1 rating, that officially becomes effective in March of 2020, validates that the City of Riverside Fire Department is providing residents, visitors and businesses with industry-leading fire protection services.
This accomplishment was a team effort that included the City of Riverside Dispatch Center, the City of Riverside Public Utilities Department and the Eastern Municipal Water District and with community support through Measure Z funding for fire equipment and apparatus.
The Class 1 ISO rating will rank the City of Riverside Fire Department as one of only 77 Fire Department’s in the U.S. and Canada that are both accredited and have an ISO Class 1 rating, and one of only 6 in California.
ISO (Insurance Services Office) is a company that creates ratings based on specific criteria to determine how well equipped a fire department is to put out fires in their communities. After analyzing the data, the ISO assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being best that will earn a fire department a Class 1 rating.
How is the ISO Score Determined?
To determine the ISO rating, the company conducts a field survey of the fire department using the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) with a 100 point scale based on four key areas that include; the fire department’s staffing; capabilities, training, and equipment, etc. (50 points); the city’s water supply/infrastructure (40 points); emergency communication systems (10 points), and community risk reduction programs (extra credit of up to 5.5 points).
How ISO Fire Rating Affects Your Community?
A “good” ISO rating may allow for Insurance companies to offer lower rates based on a fire department’s ability to extinguish fires more quickly and effectively. How ratings may impact your insurance premiums will vary by insurer, as other factors may be considered with regards to fire safety. For example, some companies will ask about your property’s proximity to a fire station or fire hydrant, as well as whether you have a fire alarm or sprinkler system. Property owners should check with their insurance companies for more information on how the improved ISO rating may help reduce costs for insurance. The City of Riverside Fire Department continues to have a proud tradition of providing excellent service and will continue to maintain the high standards expected by our community.
For more information on ISO Rating visit: https://riversideca.gov/fire/iso
