Insurance Services Office (ISO) Rating

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics Incorporated. Verisk is a data driven analytics corporation that provides proprietary information about risk to nearly all major insurance companies. The ratings they provide are the longest serving, independent, 3rd party review standard that has been consistently applied to fire departments across the nation.

The Lathrop Manteca Fire District has a "Split Classification" of 2/2Y

So What Does That Mean To You?

First of all, it means that the LMFD was independently reviewed and rated to be in the top 6% of Fire Departments across our nation! Across the State of California, the LMFD is in the top 25%. What makes this so interesting is that the LMFD covers over 90 square miles with a majority of those being rural areas and roads. Fire Station placement and staffing at each of those stations is critical that they are done meeting professional standards. The ISO rates your fire protection services to help insurance companies establish your insurance rates. Standards, automatic aid agreements, number of personnel on duty, training, and so many other factors are weighed into a score during this evaluation. This is done by completing one of the industries most thorough and comprehensive evaluations! Nationwide (including the Lathrop Manteca Fire District) agencies are evaluated based on four major topics: Dispatching, Fire Department Operations, Water Supply System, and Community Risk Reduction.

Whats Included in Those Topics? 

Dispatching

This portion of the evaluation considers how emergencies are reported. It considers that time is of the essence and takes into account call processing times. It aligns with the National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA) for dispatch centers and the equipment they use. It ensures that the dispatchers are well trained and hold the proper certifications as a first responder. Dispatchers and mangers of the center should also be using a "continuous education" or quality assurance program.

Fire Department

Your fire department is evaluated based on the appropriate number of equipment. Engine companies are used to carry hose and pump water to extinguish fires. Fire engine companies cover an area of approximately 1.5 miles in circumference from the fire station where the unit is located. Ladder service companies are used for elevated water streams, salvaging building contents, and fire overhaul. Overhaul looks for hidden "hot spots" and ensures that the fire is completely out. Ladder companies support an area that is 2.5 miles from its station. Using this method, the more road miles covered the better the deployment so that life and property could be saved. It is interesting to point out that the ISO has also been moving towards allowing deployment that meets NFPA Standard 1710. This standard requires that the first unit arrive within 4 minutes drive time, and that the total alarm (all units) arrive within 8 minutes of driving time.

This portion of the evaluation also takes into account the number of firefighters staffing both fire engines and fire trucks at their respective fire stations. This portion of the evaluation also looks heavily at the training these firefighters are receiving. 

Water Supply 

Having sufficient water supply for firefighting operations is critical. This topic of the evaluation is weighted 40 percent of the overall score! The evaluation process rates your system's maintenance, water main sizes, flowing capacity and hydrant sizes. The evaluation also takes into account that hydrants are properly flow tested and inspected annually. This flow testing can cause sediment movement in the water system and may appear as a rust or dark color when faucets are turned on.

Community Risk Reduction

Community Risk Reduction is viewed as the fire prevention efforts taken by the fire department. This includes using up to date codes for building standards, plan reviewing for new construction, inspections of private fire suppression systems, pre-incident planning and a comprehensive quality assurance program for all your fire prevention efforts.

Divergence

While divergence is not one of the major topics evaluated, it is a component of the rating that takes into account the difference between the water supply system and the fire department. For example, a highly rated fire department and a poor water supply system will not be as effective as a highly rated fire department and a highly rated water system. The inverse is also true, that a highly rated water system and lower rated fire department would mean that the fire department does not have the staffing to utilize the better water system. To account for this the ISO uses a proprietary formula called "Divergence." Divergence subtracts from your fire departments overall score. For these reasons it is important to have both a highly rated water system, and a highly rated fire department that is properly staffed, equipped, and deployed.

For more information about Verisk, please click here.

For more information about the ISO's Public Protection Classification System, please click here.