For the third time, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) has given the City of Richardson a Class 1 ISO rating, an endorsement of the City’s commitment to protect property from fire damage, thus saving property owners money through lower insurance rates.

The ISO rating measures the quality and effectiveness of fire protection in a community. Insurance companies recognize the measure as a signal of a city’s commitment to fire safety across the entire city government.

“Providing the support necessary to ensure our public safety programs, projects, and services are among the best in the industry is of utmost importance for the City Council,” said Richardson Mayor Bob Dubey. “We do this through a methodical process to ensure resources are strategically allocated to support infrastructure and equipment needed to keep the community safe, and it is gratifying to see these investments recognized as best-in-class.” 

With this classification, the Richardson Fire Department is listed among an elite group of 99 departments in Texas and just more than 500 in the United States to receive a Class 1 rating. 

“This rating takes a team effort that includes both public safety and our Public Services departments,” said Richardson City Manager Don Magner. “Our Fire Department team coordinates its efforts among engineers who design our water systems, field maintenance crews who maintain our infrastructure, budget and finance teams that plan for current and future needs, and the support of the Council that dedicates the resources needed. We work continuously year-round in all these areas, and I congratulate all those who help to make this recognition possible.” 

“Providing this level of excellence is part of our mission as a department and service to our community,” said Richardson Fire Department Chief Curtis Poovey. “It is rare for professionals in the fire service to have the opportunity to serve in an ISO Class 1 department, and I am proud of the men and women of the Richardson Fire Department for their dedication to providing Class 1 services to this community.” 

As part of its evaluation, the ISO collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the U.S. through the Public Protection Classification (PPC) Program. The Program helps establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties and provides insurance companies with reliable, up-to-date information about a community’s fire protection services. The formal assessment process consisted of three major areas:

• Fire Department (staffing, equipment, training, and emergency response capabilities).
• Water supply system (highlighting the water supply a community uses for fire suppression).
• Fire alarm and communications system (which centers on facilities and support for handling and dispatching alarms).

The ISO evaluation of the Fire Department accounts for 50 percent of the rating, while water supply accounts for 40 percent, and the Department’s communication system accounts for the final 10 percent.

About the City of Richardson
The City of Richardson is widely recognized for its commitment to excellence, its rich history, and its bright future, all of which make Richardson a smart choice for residents and businesses. Known globally for its high-tech business leadership, the City of Richardson also offers a high quality of life, a diverse array of neighborhoods, a convenient Metroplex location, multi-modal transportation infrastructure, and outstanding City services. Richardson has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top places to live and work by the national media, and the City remains dedicated to continuous improvement, as well as to the principles of open government and two-way communications with residents. To learn more, visit www.cor.net.