Round Rock Fire Department has received the distinction of earning a Class 1 Public Protection Classification rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).

The program measures and evaluates the effectiveness of fire mitigation services in communities throughout the country. For each fire protection area, ISO assigns a Public Protection Classification code between 1 to 10, with Class 1 representing the highest possible fire protection.

The classification is used by insurance companies to set rates, and is expected to specifically help commercial businesses with an approximate 2% savings on insurance. The rating bodes well for economic development, as many large companies look to this rating as a factor in determining location.

Grading is based on multiple factors, including the fire department, water supply and dispatching.

“It’s an honor to achieve this elite ranking,” said Interim Fire Chief Shane Glaiser. “Our department is proud to be supported by a team at the City of Round Rock who make our community such a safe place to live, from General Services to Information Technology to our colleagues in the Police and Utilities departments.”

Only 65 cities in Texas and less than 400 nationwide have been awarded a Class 1 designation, out of a total of 50,000 communities in the nation that are graded by ISO.

Round Rock Fire Department Interim Chief Shane Glaiser and staff were recognized for the Department’s upgraded ISO Fire Suppression Rating at the Oct. 14 City Council meeting.