What Makes the BHFD a 'Class 1' Fire Department?

You might have seen the words "Class 1" on our Beverly Hills fire engines. But do you know what that means? And how does that affect the lives and property of the citizens and businesses of Beverly Hills? 

The was surveyed by the Insurance Services Offices (ISO) to determine its Public Protection Classification (PPC) and was awarded a Class 1 rating. This is an exemplary fire suppression rating. ISO is the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting and actuarial information to the property/casualty insurance industry and is used by most insurers to calculate the premiums for residential, commercial and industrial subscribers.

The ISO’s PPC program evaluates communities according to a uniform set of criteria defined in the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. This criterion incorporates nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association.

Using this rating scale, ISO objectively reviews the fire suppression capabilities of the community and assigns a Public Protection Classification number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection in the community and Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire suppression programs do not meet minimum recognition criteria.

ISO evaluates a community approximately once every 10 years or when major department changes occur.

To read more about our city's Class 1 fire department, click here.