CFD achieves highest rating for fire protection services

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Fire Department has achieved the highest rating possible for fire protection services.

The department has received a Class 1 Public Protection Classification rating from the Insurance Services Office. The rating means business owners, residents and visitors to Charlotte can count on superior fire protection, according to CFD.

It is also one of the factors used to determine fire insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses.

PDF: Charlotte FD's Class 1 Rating

"This is an incredible achievement for the Charlotte Fire Department and for everyone living and working in Charlotte," said Chief Jon Hannan.

Out of 48,574 fire protection areas rated in the country, just 132 receive the Class 1 rating; this means CFD ranks in the top .20 percent of all fire departments in the United States.

The Class 1 rating could also mean more money in residents' and business owners' pockets. Fire insurance premiums are based on the quality of service and fire protection available.

The process includes detailed assessments, with points assigned to four factors:

• The fire department, including equipment, staffing, training and where fire departments are located.
• The local water-supply system, including how hydrants are inspected and tested, as well as evaluating water availability compared with fire-suppression needs.
• The emergency communications systems, including how the public can report fires, staffing, training, telecommunicators' certification and dispatch facilities.
• Community efforts to reduce fire risk, including fire codes and enforcement, fire-safety education and fire-investigation programs.

Out of a possible 105.5 points, which includes a maximum score of 50 for the fire department, 40 for the water system, 10 for communications and 5.5 for community involvement, the Charlotte Fire Department earned 92.21points.

Hannan recognized partnerships with Charlotte Water, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Medic and city leaders for their roles in the fire department's score.

Highlights of the previous year that led to the department's rating include:

• Responded to 110,710 incidents with an average response time of 4 minutes, 34 seconds from call receipt to arrival on scene. 
• CFD Communications answered 178,000 emergency calls. 99.5 percent of those calls were answered within 10 seconds.
• CFD surpassed minimum staffing goals to ensure quick response to emergencies; in 2015, 256 firefighters were on duty 98.1 percent of the time, including members who are dive, Hazmat, and Helicopter and Aquatic Rescue Team certified.
• Completed 100 percent of state-mandated fire code inspections (37,495 inspections and 5,813 building-plan reviews).
• Provided fire education to 100 percent of CMS third-graders: 11,969 students, plus third-grade classrooms at 36 private/charter schools.

WSOC