Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Today, November 17, 2015, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue was presented with an ISO Class 1 designation, which is only given to fire departments in the United States that meet the highest standards of response capabilities.
The national Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluates more than 48,000 fire departments, and only 0.25 percent have earned an ISO Class 1 designation. Only 130 ISO Class 1 fire departments exist in the entire United States, and Sioux Falls is the only one in the Upper Midwest.
This designation does more than prove Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is one of the best fire departments in the nation. The ISO Class 1 rating can lower the rates of fire insurance to businesses, making it even more desirable to do business and to locate businesses in Sioux Falls. It can also lower the rates for homeowners. In discussions with local insurance underwriters, it is expected that businesses and homeowners will potentially save several million dollars annually.
“All of Sioux Falls wins today with this ISO 1 designation. Not only are we incredibly safer, but our wallets are thicker as well as we celebrate lower insurance rates,” says Mayor Mike Huether.
The ratings are based on a score that looks at the fire department, its personnel, equipment, deployment, and training, as well as the city’s Public Works water distribution system and the dispatching center at Metro Communications (911). A Class 1 rating generally represents superior property fire protection. A Class 10 rating indicates that the area’s fire-suppression program doesn’t meet ISO’s minimum criteria.
By classifying communities’ ability to suppress fires, ISO provides an objective, countrywide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training.
“What an incredible birthday present as we celebrate Sioux Falls Fire Rescue’s 135 years of service to the community,” says Fire Chief Jim Sideras. “Today’s announcement confirms what we already knew: The women and men who work for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue are indeed the best of the best.”
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue held a Class 3 rating since 1990 but received notification of Class 2 in September 2015. Because the department was so close to a Class 1 rating, Chief Sideras requested that ISO reevaluate the department, and ISO improved Sioux Falls Fire Rescue’s rating to Class 1.