ISO Rating

The Stevens Point Fire Department has received the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of Class 2.

ISO currently evaluates over 46,000 Fire Departments Nationwide and the Stevens Point Fire Department has scored in top 3%. This rating reflects the hard work and dedication of the Stevens Point Fire Department, the Stevens Point Water Department, the City of Stevens Point, the Portage County Dispatch Center and their commitment to save lives and property. The new Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating will become effective August 1, 2017.

Fire Departments across the Nation are rated by the ISO to determine a PPC for individual Cities or Counties. This rating is published by the ISO and used by Insurance Companies to determine insurance rates. The ISO Schedule develops a PPC number on a relative scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the very best and 10 representing less than minimum recognized fire protection. Most U.S. Insurers of Homes and Business Property use the PPC in calculating premiums. In general, the price of fire insurance in a community with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC.

When the ISO evaluates a Fire Departments capabilities it uses a system called the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) which employs nationally accepted standards developed by such organizations as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International. The FSRS considers 3 main areas of a community's fire suppression capabilities including Emergency Communications (911 Call Center), the Fire Department, and Water Supply. In addition, it includes a Community Risk Reduction section that recognizes community efforts to reduce losses through fire prevention, public fire safety education and fire investigation.

Key elements considered when evaluating a Fire Department include Response Capabilities (Deployment Analysis) which includes adequate staffing of Fire Service Personnel on Engine Crews and Ladder Companies, Fire Station Distribution (Location and Coverage), Appropriate Apparatus and Equipment, Training, Water Supplies, Organizational Structure, Communications and Building/Fire Prevention Codes and their enforcement. The Fire Department's improved PPC Classification is a reflection of the City of Stevens Point's commitment to provide quality Public Safety Services to the citizens of Stevens Point.

Starting in July of 2017, the Stevens Point Fire Department recommends that all property and business owners within the City of Stevens Point, contact their insurance agents to inform the insurance companies of this important ISO grade change for possible savings on their insurance premiums.

ISO Classifications

Please Contact Assistant Chief Jodi Baganz at the Stevens Point Fire Department for any questions about ISO and the process surrounding it.