Chattanooga, TN – According to the officials, after a comprehensive review of its operations, the CFD has maintained its Class 1 Public Protection Classification, a status initially achieved in 2018.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) conducts reviews approximately every five years to ensure ongoing high performance.
The Class 1 rating is the highest designation given by ISO, which evaluates the ability of fire departments across the country to respond to and suppress structure fires.
This prestigious classification results in lower insurance premiums for local homeowners and commercial property owners, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the CFD personnel. While exact cost savings are difficult to quantify due to various factors, the Class 1 rating ensures the lowest possible rates for the community.
ISO uses four main criteria to determine a fire department’s classification:
1. **Emergency Communications** – Evaluation of the 911 system.
2. **Fire Department** – Assessment of equipment, staffing, training, and geographic distribution of fire companies.
3. **Water Supply** – Examination of the number and location of hydrants, as well as inspection and flow testing.
4. **Community Risk Reduction** – Review of code inspections, fire investigations, and public education activities.
Less than 500 fire departments out of nearly 30,000 in the United States have achieved a Class 1 rating, placing the Chattanooga Fire Department in the top one percent nationwide.