The distinction places SMFD among the top fire departments in the nation.
The City of San Marcos Fire Department (SMFD) has achieved a Class 1 Public Protection Classification rating, the highest level of recognition available from the Insurance Service Organization (ISO). The top rating places SMFD among the ranks of only 37 fire departments in California and 348 nationwide that have earned the distinction.
The ISO ratings are designed to evaluate a fire department’s ability to protect local communities. Cities use the data to help measure the effectiveness of their fire-protection services, and insurance companies use it when establishing premiums for fire insurance. A Class 1 rating generally represents superior property fire protection and can lower the price of insurance within a community.
The Class 1 ranking reflects the City’s commitment to public safety, along with the shared effort and responsibility among the fire department, local leaders, business owners and residents.
“This achievement represents years of ingrained systems and processes, along with the accountability of programs and personnel,” said San Marcos Fire Chief Daniel Barron. “It also reflects SMFD’s steadfast adherence to the City’s core values and our commitment to protecting life and property and serving the community.”
How Fire Departments Are Evaluated
A Fire Department’s capabilities are evaluated using nationally accepted standards developed by organizations including as the National Fire Protection Association, the American Water Works Association and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International.
Four key areas of a community’s fire suppression capabilities are evaluated, including:
- The fire department
- Emergency communications (911 call center)
- Water supply
- Community risk reduction, including community efforts to reduce losses through fire
prevention, public fire safety education and fire investigation Additional evaluation elements include:
- Response capabilities (deployment analysis), which includes adequate staffing of fire service personnel on engine crews and ladder companies
- Fire station distribution (location and coverage)
- Appropriate apparatus and equipment
- Training of all personnel
- Water supply throughout the city
- Organizational structure
- Communications and call procedures
- Building/Fire Prevention Codes and their enforcement
About the San Marcos Fire Department
The mission of the San Marcos Fire Department is to provide the highest level of customer service by protecting life, property and the environment, through the delivery of innovative, fiscally responsible and ethical emergency services in our community. For more information, visit www.san-marcos.net/smfd.
