Miami Beach Fire Department Retains Elite Rating

Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach Fire Department has once again earned a prestigious ISO Class 1 rating, a distinction held by slightly more than 1% of the 37,983 participating agencies in the United States. The Insurance Services Office bases its rating on the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, which was developed to assess the fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of individual fire departments.

“Our Miami Beach Fire Department earned a total credit of 105.16 out of the highest possible score of 105.5,” Miami Beach City Manager Alina Hudak said. “This is the highest score ever achieved by our department, and, according to our assessor, the highest score he has seen for any department in Florida.”

The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule measures the major elements of a community’s fire protection system and assigns a numerical grade that incorporates nationally accepted standards developed by organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association, the American Water Works Association and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International. The Miami Beach Fire Department also holds accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

“To be accredited and an ISO Class 1 agency is a big honor for our department,” explained Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez. “This rating is based on an independent review by subject matter experts who evaluated our department against national criteria. I’m very proud of the teamwork that went into this accomplishment.”

Most U.S. insurers, including the largest ones, use the rating information as part of their decision-making when deciding what business to underwrite, coverages to offer or prices to charge for personal or commercial property insurance, according to ISO. The city’s new rating becomes effective on June 1.

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