The following is the criteria for each category:

• Class 2 - Applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant.
• Class 2X - Applies to properties within five road miles of a fire station but beyond 1,000 feet of a hydrant.

The ISO, through their Public Protection Classification Program (PPC), issues ratings to cities throughout the country for the effectiveness of their Fire Department Capabilities, Water Supply and Needed Fire Flow Capabilities, and Receiving and Handling Fire Alarms Capabilities (911 dispatch) to protect their community. The ISO rating is a numerical grading system and is one of the primary elements used by the insurance industry to develop premium rates for residential and commercial businesses.

What is the PPC Program? ISO collects information on municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO reviews data using a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) and then assigns a PPC from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression program does not meet ISO's minimum criteria.

By classifying a community's ability to suppress fires, ISO helps communities evaluate their public fire protection services. The program provides an objective, nationwide standard that assists fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. By securing lower fire insurance premiums for communities with better public protection, the PPC program provides incentives and rewards for communities that choose to improve their firefighting services.

The ISO evaluates communities according to a uniform set of criteria, incorporating nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association. A community's rating is weighted as follows: 10% for Emergency Communications (911 Dispatching), 50% for the Fire Department's Capabilities; and 40% for Water Supply. The ISO found that the City of Folsom has improved since the last ISO survey when it received a Class 3/9 rating.

Emergency Communications
A review of the fire alarm and communication system accounts for 10% for the total classification. The review focuses on the Community's Facilities and Support for Emergency Reporting; Telecommunicators; and Dispatch Circuits. Folsom received a score of 7.70 out of 10 points possible in this section.

Fire Department
A review of the fire department's first-alarm response and initial-attack to minimize potential loss accounts for 50% for the total classification. The review focuses on Engine Companies, Reserve Pumpers, and Pumper Capacity; Ladder/Service Companies and Reserve Ladder/Service Trucks; Deployment Analysis; Company Personnel; Training; and Operational Considerations. Ensuring that a sufficient amount of personnel are on duty, sufficient apparatus are available to respond, and appropriate fire station locations are important for this part of the scoring. Folsom received a score of 39.82 out of 50 points possible in this section.

Water Supply
A review of the water supply system accounts for 40% for the total classification. The review focuses on Supply System; Hydrant Size, Type, and Installation; and Inspection Frequency and Flow Testing of Fire Hydrants. The survey focuses on whether the community has sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption. ISO surveys all components of the water supply system including pumps, storage, and filtration. Fire flow tests are observed at representative locations in the community to determine the rate of flow the water mains provide. They also count the distribution of fire hydrants no more than 1,000 feet from representative locations. Folsom received a score of34.88 out of 40 points possible in this section.

Additionally, the overall survey score was reduced by 1.51 points to account for one of their factors ­ divergence. The reduction is based on having an inadequate water supply and/or the lack of equipment or personnel to use the water.

Community Risk Reduction is a new category within the survey and its score is added to the overall 100 points possible score. This section includes Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement; Public Fire Safety Education, and Fire Investigation Programs. Folsom received a score of 4.13 out of 5.50 points possible.

Overall, Folsom received 85.02 points out of 105.50 points possible and improved its ISO rating from Class 3/9 to Class 2/2X.

Folsom Fire Department 2017 ISO Report

For more information on ISO ratings, visit the ISO website.