What is an ISO rating?
The level of service for fire protection services is expressed as an ISO rating. The ISO rating is essentially a comparison between the fire department and the built-upon area that the fire department serves. If the built-upon area grows but the fire department does not, then the level of service is reduced. This is what has occurred with permitted development in the Martis Valley without funding for fire protection, resulting in a reduction in level of service applied to the entire fire district.
The ISO rating is determined by the Insurance Service Office – a division of Verisk, a data analytics company. The lower the ISO rating, the better the service. Ratings range from 1 being the best and 10 being the worst. Truckee Fire Protection District has a split rating of 4/4X, where some properties receive a rating of 4 and others receive a rating of 10 due to their proximity to a fire station or verified water source.
Other fire protection agencies in the area are rated as follows:
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (serving Incline Village): ISO 1
North Tahoe Fire Protection District (serving King Beach, Tahoe City, Homewood, and Meeks Bay): ISO 3
Olympic Valley Fire Department: ISO 2
Northstar Fire Department: ISO 2
The ISO rating directly affects fire insurance quotes and costs for homeowners residing in Truckee Fire District's boundaries. This rating system reflects the relationship between development, fire protection resources, and the cost of insurance for property owners in our community.