EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso\u2019s fire protection system has been recognized among the best in the country, with the El Paso Fire Department earning an ISO Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office.<\/p>\n
The designation is the highest classification ISO grants, and fewer than 1 percent of the more than 30,000 fire departments in the United States hold an ISO Class 1 rating. <\/p>\n
The department also continues to maintain international accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence\u2019s Commission on Fire Accreditation International, a distinction held by only 334 agencies worldwide. Only 12 fire departments in the country serving populations over 500,000 hold both recognitions.<\/p>\n
Officials said the distinctions reflect exceptional performance in emergency response, fire suppression, communications, training, fire prevention and water supply.<\/p>\n
This rating affirms what the El Paso community sees every day: a fire department that is fast, professional, highly trained, and ready to respond,\u201d Fire Chief Jonathan Killings said. \u201cIt reflects years of strategic investment, accountability, and the dedication of our personnel to protecting lives and property.<\/p>\n
City officials said the ISO Class 1 rating is more than a professional benchmark, describing it as a reflection of a fire protection system designed to protect lives, limit losses and keep a growing city safe and resilient.<\/p>\n
For residents and businesses, officials said the rating can mean stronger protection for lives and property through faster response and effective fire suppression, as well as potential insurance savings for many homeowners, businesses and industrial properties because top-tier fire protection can help reduce risk. The city also said the rating can help reduce damage and speed recovery when fires occur, protecting homes, jobs, public assets and critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Officials said the rating also reflects strength in staffing, training, communications, equipment, water supply and hydrant coverage, and provides a competitive edge by demonstrating public safety infrastructure that supports economic growth, business investment and long-term development.<\/p>\n
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