Fire-Protection Resources

ISO uses well-defined criteria to review the structural firefighting capabilities of individual communities. We evaluate three major elements of a community’s fire-protection program:

Fire-alarm and communications systems
Ten percent of a community’s assessment is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its firefighting resources. Our field representatives evaluate the communications center — number of operators; telephone service, including the number of telephone lines coming into the center; and the listing of emergency numbers in the telephone book. Field representatives also look at the dispatch circuits, backup power capabilities, and how the center notifies firefighters about the location of the emergency.

Fire department
Fifty percent of the assessment is based on the fire-protection capabilities of the fire department. ISO reviews the distribution of fire companies throughout the area and checks that the fire departments test their hoses, pumpers, and aerial apparatus regularly. ISO inventories each engine company’s nozzles, hoses, breathing apparatus, and other firefighting equipment, as well as the equipment carried on aerial apparatus. We also review the distribution of fire stations and their proximity to the properties they protect.

ISO also reviews fire company records to determine:

• type and extent of training provided to fire company personnel
• number of firefighters who participate in training
• on-duty and volunteer firefighter response to emergencies
• maintenance and testing of the fire department’s equipment

Water supply
Forty percent of the assessment is based on the community’s water supply. ISO reviews whether the community has a sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond maximum daily consumption. We survey all components of the water-supply system, including pumps, storage, and filtration. We observe fire-flow tests at representative locations in the community to determine the rate of flow the water mains provide. Finally, we evaluate the distribution and maintenance of fire hydrants.

Are you interested in the details of how we evaluate a community’s firefighting capabilities? Follow the link to learn more. To request more information, click here or call ISO Customer Service at 1-800-888-4476, option 6.