Joplin Fire Department ISO rating remains at 2

(From the City of Joplin)

The Joplin Fire Department’s ISO rating remains at a 2, keeping them in an elite group of fire departments in Missouri. Currently, only 32 agencies in Missouri have the 2 rating.

The department recently underwent a hazard risk analysis conducted by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and was rated a “2”, a level they’ve held since 2016. ISO evaluates three major areas, including:

Fire department operations (staffing, training, equipment, response times)
Water supply systems (hydrants, flow, and testing)
Emergency communications (911 dispatch capabilities)

ISO ratings are significant to a community because they affect home and business insurance rates. The ISO provides information to insurance companies nationwide, which details a fire department’s capability in helping to prevent a fire from happening, as well as in their ability to minimize damage should one occur. The results of this analysis are then utilized by insurance companies to assign a hazard classification or rating to those properties currently protected by the Joplin Fire Department (JFD).

“Maintaining an ISO Class 2 rating is not something that happens by accident. It’s the result of our personnel showing up every day with commitment, discipline, and pride in the customer service we provide,” said Chief Gerald Ezell. “Our firefighters train relentlessly, respond with professionalism, and work hand‑in‑hand with our dispatchers and water department to meet the highest standards in fire protection. Being one of only 32 fire departments in the entire state of Missouri to hold this rating is a reflection of their dedication. I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who make this level of excellence possible.”

Based on a scale of 1 – 10 (with 1 being the best and 10 being the worst), the ISO rating system’s lower number indicates to the underwriter a lesser probability of a fire and a reduced amount of potential damage should one take place. This generally translates to lower costs for non-residential property owners and for the individual seeking coverage.