Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) has been awarded a Class One Rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). Out of 27,198 fire departments in the U.S., Santa Monica Fire is one of only 241 departments to receive this rating, the City of Santa Monica announced recently.
Through the Public Protection Classification (PPC) Program, the Insurance Service Office evaluates municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. The ISO is a nationwide rating service used by insurance companies to help establish local business and residential property insurance rates. The Class One rating is the highest possible rating that can be given to any fire department nationwide.
The ratings process involves a periodic, detailed analysis of all fire departments operations, the city’s water system, and emergency 911 communications system. The program provides an objective, countrywide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. During our recent evaluation, the SMFD received 93.2 out of 105.1 possible points, the highest we have every achieved.
Insurance companies use the Insurance Services Office information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance – generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection. By offering economic benefits for communities that invest in their firefighting services, the program provides a real incentive for improving and maintaining public fire protection.
SMFD at the Whittier Fire in Santa Barbara last year.
