Bexar County ESD 5 ISO Raiting Infomation
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is a business that provides statistical and actuarial information to other businesses, primarily insurance companies. The ISO evaluates municipal fire protection and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating from 1 to 10, where 1 represents the highest level of protection and 10 indicates failure to meet minimum standards.
Bexar County ESD 5 Fire Department Achieved an ISO Rating 3 in 2020.
Following are the essential elements a fire department must have to receive a Class 3 rating:
Fire department must have pumper capacity to suppress a fire in any building in the community
Fire department must have a 24-hour central dispatch for contacting all firefighters on duty via radio
Must have fully equipped reserve apparatus
Annual tests must be conducted on pumper trucks, hoses, and hydrants
A minimum number of firefighters must be active in the department and respond to alarms
Firefighter training must greatly exceed minimum standards
The department and community must have a definitive, reliable, and pressurized water supply
Must perform annual fire code building inspections.
Why the ISO Rating Matters
Benchmark for performance — Provides an objective, nationwide standard to compare fire protection quality.
Improvement roadmap — Identifies strengths and gaps for targeted investments in equipment, staffing, training, and water systems.
Financial impact for residents — Insurers use PPC scores when setting homeowners’ premiums; a better rating generally helps lower insurance costs.
How the ISO Rating Is Calculated
Emergency Communications (10%) — 911 call-taking and dispatch performance.
Fire Department (50%) — Staffing, training, company distribution, operations, and response capabilities.
Water Supply (40%) — Availability, condition, and maintenance of hydrants and water systems.
Community Risk Reduction (Extra Points) — Fire prevention codes, inspections, and public education.
If you are a homeowner in the response area of Bexar County ESD 5 Fire Department, use the letter below when you contact your insurance company to discuss the possibility of a new insurance rate.