What is ISO?

ISO (Insurance Services Office) is like a big research company for insurance. They collect data, analyze risks, and create standard rules that insurance companies use to figure out how much to charge for policies.

For example, if you own a business or a home, insurance companies look at ISO’s information to help determine your rates based on things like crime rates, fire protection in your area, and past claims data. It helps keep pricing fair and consistent across the industry.

So, how are we using ISO?

In the fire department, ISO is used to evaluate how well a community is prepared for fires. They do this through the Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, which gives a fire department and its coverage area a score from 1 to 10—with 1 being the best and 10 meaning minimal fire protection.

ISO looks at things like:
🔥 Fire Department Readiness – Number of firefighters (paid vs volunteer), training, equipment, and response times.
🚒 Water Supply – How many fire hydrants there are and how much water is available.
📞 Emergency Communications – How fast and effectively 911 operators handle fire calls.
📊 Community Risk Reduction – Fire prevention efforts, building codes, and public education.

This rating affects homeowners' and businesses' insurance rates. A better ISO rating (closer to 1) means lower insurance costs, while a worse rating (closer to 10) can mean higher premiums because insurance companies see more risk.

For fire departments, improving their ISO score can lead to better funding, more resources, and stronger community protection. 🚒🔥

**As of March 2025, all County residents have an ISO score of 6.