ISO Fire Rating – What It Means for Brentwood

The Brentwood Fire and Rescue Department is proud to hold a Class 2 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) through its Public Protection Classification (PPC) program. This prestigious designation reflects the department’s commitment to excellence in fire protection and emergency services.

What Is an ISO Fire Rating?

The ISO evaluates fire departments nationwide using a rigorous system of benchmarks. Departments are assigned a rating from Class 1 (the highest level of fire protection) to Class 10 (indicating the area does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria). These ratings are used by many insurance companies to help determine fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties.

A strong fire protection rating often results in lower insurance premiums—meaning measurable savings for both homeowners and business owners in Brentwood.

Fire Rating and Insurance

While ISO ratings are important, they are just one factor among many that influence your insurance premium. Other factors include:

  • Structure-specific factors: Age, construction materials, and loss history in the area

  • Policy variables: Deductible amount, property value, multi-policy discounts

  • Risk reduction elements: Security systems, proximity to hydrants, and credit rating

If required, insurance companies may request verification of Brentwood's ISO Class 2 rating, which can be obtained through the Fire & Rescue Department.

How ISO Scoring Works

ISO conducts a comprehensive field survey and evaluates over 100 data points, which are grouped into 32 subcategories and summarized under four primary sections:

  1. Emergency Communications Systems

  2. Fire Department Operations

  3. Water Supply and Infrastructure

  4. Community Risk Reduction

    • Emergency response planning

    • Engineering (building codes)

    • Enforcement (inspections)

    • Education and outreach

Brentwood’s Rating Improvement

Between 2013 and 2017, Brentwood Fire & Rescue achieved a 31.53% improvement in its ISO rating, driven by advancements in the following areas:

  • Communications: Improved coordination between Fire & Rescue, Police, and Technology Services

  • Fire Services:

    • Strategic use of automatic and mutual aid agreements

    • Advanced training and high-quality equipment

    • Comprehensive deployment analysis to maximize effectiveness

  • Community Risk Reduction: Emphasis on fire prevention, education, code enforcement, and emergency readiness

National and State Recognition

Brentwood Fire and Rescue is ranked among the top 3% of fire departments nationwide:

  • 48,632 fire departments rated (2017)

  • Only 1,342 earned a Class 1 or Class 2 rating (2.75% nationally)

  • Out of 875 fire agencies in Tennessee, just 29 achieved a Class 1 or Class 2 (3% statewide)

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