For Immediate Release
July 14, 2025
City of Charlottesville Earns Prestigious ISO Class 1 Rating for Fire Protection Services
Charlottesville, VA — The City of Charlottesville is proud to announce that it has once again achieved an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification (PPC) following a recent evaluation by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This top-tier rating reflects the City’s continued commitment to excellence in fire protection and emergency response services.
This outstanding performance is the result of coordinated efforts between CFD, the Utilities department, and the Charlottesville-Albemarle-UVA Emergency Communications Center (ECC).
The ISO Class 1 designation is the highest level of fire protection achievable. It places Charlottesville among a select group of communities nationwide recognized for exemplary fire suppression capabilities. This rating directly impacts property insurance premiums, benefiting both homeowners and businesses by potentially lowering costs, while supporting economic growth and community resilience.
The comprehensive ISO assessment evaluated Charlottesville and its outside protection area (OPA) using the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). The final rating of 01/1Y reflects strong performance across key categories:
- Emergency Communications (10%) – Scored 9.72/10
- Fire Department (50%) – Scored 41.76/50
- Water Supply (40%) – Scored 39.13/40
- Community Risk Reduction – Scored 4.76/5.5
- Total Score: 92.51 out of 105.5
Notably, Utilities earned a near-perfect score of 97.8% in water supply effectiveness, while the ECC achieved 97.2% for emergency communications.
The classification also serves as a valuable benchmark for future planning for Charlottesville’s fire protection infrastructure. It highlights the importance of ongoing training, equipment maintenance, and internal coordination to maintain this elite status.
A small portion of the OPA received a 1Y classification due to limited water access—specifically, a small section of UVA property beyond 1,000 feet from a hydrant—but remains within five miles of a fire station.
This achievement highlights the City’s proactive commitment to public safety and risk reduction, strengthening Charlottesville’s leadership in community preparedness and emergency response.
Media Contact
Kyle Ervin
Public Safety Information Officer
City of Charlottesville
ervinkl@charlottesville.gov
(434) 326-3043