What makes Beverly Hills a Class One 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 City of Beverly Hills Fire Department 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 a 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.The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule allots credit to three major features of a fire suppression system by evaluating the following:Fire Alarm and Communications Systems: This accounts for the community’s ability to handle and dispatch fire alarms.Fire Department: This accounts for the largest part of the total classification, which focuses on items such as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department staffing and training.Water Supply System: This is the second major portion of the total classification highlighting the water supply a community uses for fire suppression, including hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants.In all three major areas, the City of Beverly Hills received exemplary ratings. Out of over 37,000 fire departments in the nation, only 42 have a Class 1 rating. In California, only 10 fire departments have acquired that rating.In summary,  you can rest assured that your Beverly Hills Fire Department is simply put, the best.