For Immediate Release
Date: Nov. 25, 2014

Savannah Fire and Emergency Services unveiled its new logo today designating that the department has received the highest classification available to fire departments across the nation.

During a brief ceremony before City Council, Savannah Fire Chief Charles Middleton called the department’s upgrade to ISO Class 1 a “red letter day” for the entire community.

“This is a testament to the training and preparedness of Savannah’s fire department,” Chief Middleton said.

ISO stands for Insurance Service Office, a national organization that provides insurance information on risk. ISO assesses a fire department’s capabilities on a 10-point scale by looking at a range of criteria such as training, equipment, response time, facilities, and water infrastructure. Historically, insurance companies have in part based their home insurance premiums on a community’s ISO classification. The better the rating in the community, the lower the potential premiums for its property owners.

Of the nation’s roughly 48,000 fire departments, just 62 have received the highest classification available – ISO Class 1.

“That equates to less than one-quarter of 1 percent of all departments evaluated nationwide,” Middleton said.

Savannah Fire’s reclassification from Class 2 to Class 1 officially occurs Dec. 1, 2014.

“We appreciate everything you do to keep this community safe, and it is comforting to know that we are protected by one of the very best departments in the entire nation,” Mayor Edna Jackson said. “You make us proud.”