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Heartland Fire & Rescue honored for ISO Class 1 rating after 18‑month review
Summary
La Mesa officials heard that Heartland Fire & Rescue earned an ISO Class 1 rating after an 18‑month evaluation covering dispatch, water supply, station placement, training and community risk reduction; the council received a plaque and was told the rating can reduce insurance loss experience.
La Mesa city leaders on Dec. 9 received a presentation from the Insurance Services Office announcing that Heartland Fire & Rescue earned an ISO Class 1 rating after an 18‑month evaluation involving the fire department, water authority and dispatch centers.
Andy Bolton, senior field representative for the Insurance Services Office (ISO), told the council that ISO evaluated multiple systems — dispatch timeliness, station locations, training and the community’s water‑supply and hydrant performance — and that attaining Class 1 places the district among roughly 1% of U.S. fire agencies. Bolton said Class 1 communities demonstrate stronger fire‑suppression capability and typically show better loss experience for property insurers.
"It's a real admirable achievement that you guys have a district that can obtain Class 1," Bolton said, summarizing the review and noting that ISO uses standards from the National Fire Protection Association, the American Water Works Association and APCO for dispatch best practices. The presentation credited a broad, cross‑departmental effort — including fire prevention, communications and the water utility — and singled out Deputy Fire Chief John Nevin for leadership during the process.
Chiefs and councilmembers thanked Fire and partners; a plaque presentation followed. Staff said ISO reviews occur roughly every five to six years and that maintaining the rating requires ongoing cooperation between departments and utility partners.
