~~HOW ISO WORKS AND OUR COMMMUNITY RATING
How the FSRS works
The FSRS lists a large number of items (facilities and practices) a community should have to fight fires effectively. The Schedule assigns credit points for each item. Using those credit points and various formulas, ISO calculates a total score on a scale of 0 to 100.
To receive certain PPC ratings, a community must meet minimum criteria. After a community meets those criteria, the PPC rating depends on the community’s score on the 100-point scale. The FSRS considers three main areas of a community’s fire-protection program:
Fire alarms
Ten percent of a community’s overall score is based on how well the fire department receives and dispatches fire alarms. Our field representatives evaluate:
- the communications center, including the number of operators at the center
- the telephone service, including the number of telephone lines coming into the center
- the listing of emergency numbers in the telephone book
- the dispatch circuits and how the center notifies firefighters about the location of the emergency
Fire department
Fifty percent of the overall score is based on the fire department. ISO reviews the distribution of fire companies throughout the area and checks that the fire department tests its pumps regularly and inventories each engine company’s nozzles, hoses, breathing apparatus, and other equipment. ISO also reviews the fire-company records to determine things such as:
- type and extent of training provided to fire company personnel
- number of people who participate in training
- firefighter response to emergencies
- maintenance and testing of the fire department’s equipment
Water supply
Forty percent of the overall score is based on the community’s water supply. This part of 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. We observe fire-flow tests at representative locations in the community to determine the rate of flow the water mains provide. We also review the condition and maintenance of fire hydrants. Last, we count the distribution of fire hydrants we work closely with Bloomfield Water Dept. as well as North Nelson. In Nelson County ISO reviewed the departments rural water supply operation by using tanker truck to move water to rural fire scenes.