ISO Ratings

The largest single cause of property loss in the United States and approximately 20,000 injuries each year are a result of fire. Insurance companies use a rating system to determine a community’s investment in fire mitigation as a proven and reliable predictor of future fire losses, encourage communities to mitigate that risk, and charge policy holders fees relative to their fire risk. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has maintained a risk database and issued these ratings through its Public Protection Classification (PPC) System. PPC ratings can change as fire departments, water districts, and other entities improve infrastructure and services. ISO PPC ratings are on a scale of 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection; Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire-suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.

Criteria include:
  • 911 Communications (10% of the rating) – The number of telephone lines to receive emergency calls and the number of dispatchers to answer incoming calls.
  • Water Supply (40% of the rating) – The adequacy of water supply (municipal and private), distribution of hydrants, and a hydrant inspection program.
  • Fire Apparatus – The number and distribution of Engines (pumpers) and Ladder Trucks meeting the minimum criteria.
  • Personnel – The availability of firefighters, the training facilities and programs.
Evergreen Fire Rescue uses ISO Ratings to influence its level of service, strategic planning, and the budget. EFR has three ISO classifications:
  • Class 3: Any property within 5 miles of a fire station AND within 1000’ of a hydrant or a 30,000 gallon cistern.
  • Class 4: Any property beyond 1000’ from a hydrant or cistern and still within 5 miles of one of the fire stations, or a neighboring fire districts’ station.
  • Class 10W: Any property greater than 5 miles from a fire station, Evergreen Fire Rescue or a neighboring fire districts’ station.

Evergreen Fire Protection District Fire Station Locations
  • Station 1: 4751 County Highway 73; Hydrant
  • Station 2: 1802 Bergen Parkway; Hydrant
  • Station 3*: 6940 County Highway 73; 30,000 gallon cistern
  • Station 4: 5411 County Highway 73; Emergency Medical Services only and not to be used for ISO ratings
  • Station 5: 53 Echo Lake Drive; 40,000 gallon cistern
  • Station 6: 26370 State Highway 74; Hydrant
  • Station 7: 157 County Road 65 at I-70; No hydrant or cistern
  • Station 8*: 33377 Forest Estates Road; 40,000 gallon cistern
*Hydrants in the Brook Forest area or at Marshdale Elementary School are not recognized by ISO.
For assistance with your ISO Protection Class, please call 303-674-3145, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.