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Matthews Fire & EMS earns ISO Class 1 rating; town officials praise staffing and partnerships
Summary
The Office of the State Fire Marshal told the board Matthews Fire & EMS received an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rating, placing the department among the top rated districts nationally and in North Carolina. Officials credited staffing changes, training, apparatus investments and community partnerships for the improvement.
Deputy State Fire Marshal Jeremy Hunt briefed the Board of Commissioners Oct. 27 and announced that Matthews Fire & EMS has earned an ISO Class 1 rating, the highest designation from the Insurance Services Office. Hunt said only about 335 fire districts nationwide hold a Class 1 rating and 39 in North Carolina; the designation reflects combined scores for fire department operations, water system capabilities, communications and community risk reduction.
The state representative said the rating results from years of investments in staffing, training and apparatus as well as increased collaboration with Mecklenburg County and regional partners. Chief Rob (Rob Kinenberg) and town leaders credited strategies that included moving toward 24‑hour career staffing supplemented by part‑time and volunteer personnel, expanded academy and certification programs in partnership with area colleges, and new engines and apparatus acquisitions.
Chief Kinenberg noted the department’s mixed staffing model, expanded training offerings and interagency work with Novant Health, county fire marshal staff and neighboring departments. Town leaders said the achievement underscores prior policy decisions to fund apparatus and staffing increases and called it a team effort across departments, volunteers and elected officials.
The board offered congratulations and recessed briefly for a group photograph. The ISO rating becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026, per the presentation.
Speakers quoted: Jeremy Hunt (Deputy State Fire Marshal) and Chief Rob Kinenberg.
