So what does the ISO rating mean? ISO, Insurance Services Office, collects information on municipal fire protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. ISO analyzes the relevant data using their fire suppression rating schedule (FSRS). Based on the findings, they assign a public protection classification from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary public protection, and class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression program doesn't meet ISO's minimum criteria. It is important to note that ISO only rates a community's ability to respond to structure fires, not brush fires or medical aid.   

 

On Monday, March 19, the city received a rude awakening upon notification that the new pending classification by the independent fire rating organization ISO would be a 5/9, a regression from ISO classification of 3/9. The city's fire service has not been issued such a low classification in over 20 years!  This, despite a growing budget of over $1 million. The sole rating for just the fire department alone was a 6, down from a 4. The water department,  which also makes up a significant portion of the classification, continued to make improvements, but fell to an ISO 3 from an ISO 1 classification achieved back in 2001. Thus, hurting the ability of the water department to balance out the fire portion of the rating.

 

Portions of La Habra Heights fall into a 9 classification due to the lack of adequate water resources.  So in order to improve the greater community's rating it is sometimes split into two classifications. Such is the case in La Habra Heights with a pending 5/9 classification. The homes and properties in the 9 area are basically considered to be a loss due to the lack of proper water supplies for firefighting. Otherwise, the single classification for the city would most likely be a 7. Which would force dramatic and costly changes to our water supply system and fire department to improve on that rating.

 

Key findings in the report are: Lack of proper receiving and handling of fire alarms; inadequately equipped first due and reserve fire apparatus; and training programs in need of improvement. Three engine companies are needed for the city's size, La Habra Heights only averages 1engine, and 2 are needed to respond to a building fire. In addition, 2 more fire stations are needed to improve the rating. Also, according to the report "The credit for engine companies has been reduced by 50 percent due to the lack of adequate response to part of the city." In the 2001 ISO Report, the city had 5 engine companies and a better rating for distribution of fire companies throughout the community.

 

The city has 30 days to respond to the letter received March 19, 2007 and 90 days to put in place a plan for corrective measures, otherwise the information will be published in 1 year and provided to ISO's subscribing clients "...(insurance companies) to use as they see fit."

 

Copies of the ISO report are being provided at La Habra Heights City Hall and the La Habra Heights County Water Department, via the California Public Records Act of 2004.

 

Resident firefighters suggest that there are a number of things that the City could implement immediately to improve the ISO rating.  These include: a paid Automatic Aid agreement with LACOFD, a resident firefighter program, placement of a water tender in the City and working with Los Angeles County Fire Department and The County Board of Supervisors to jointly build or reopen a fire station in the eastern portion of the community.