East Ridge Fire Protection Rating Improves

East Ridge officials were informed recently that they have earned an improved rating from the Insurance Services organization (ISO) - the national organization that rates communities' fire-suppression capabilities on a 10-point scale with Class 1 representing superior property fire protection to Class 10 indicating no recognized fire protection.

East Ridge Public Safety Director/Fire Chief Eddie Phillips said that Mayor Mike Steele received written notification from the ISO's Richard A. Vance that the City of East Ridge "Public protection classification" (PPC) has improved from class "4" to a class "3" effective July 1, 2009.

"This is a great accomplishment," said Deputy Chief Mike Flynn. "Improving the fire protection system not only makes our city a safer place to live, but from a business standpoint, it should help create opportunities and support growth due to lower property insurance costs". Deputy Chief Flynn also credited the improved rating to the diligence and dedication of East Ridge firefighters who train and prepare everyday to respond to the needs of the citizens and visitors of the city.

Obtaining the ISO Class 3 rating places East Ridge in the top 4% of fire departments nationwide that have earned this classification. In Tennessee out of 1,011 total rated communities, there are only thirty-four Class 3 ratings and five Class 2 ratings. There are no Class 1 ratings. Nationwide there are approximately 47,648 communities rated and only 1,879 have earned Class 3, only 539 Class 2's, and only 57 Class 1's.

East Ridge Public Safety Director/Fire Chief Eddie Phillips points out that the ISO grade is for fire protection services only. It does not take into account the many other services the East Ridge Fire Rescue Department provides, such as emergency medical services, rescue operations, hazardous materials response and fire prevention efforts such as construction plan reviews, inspections and public education programs. East Ridge has won the National Life Safety Achievement Award eleven times and eight years in a row.

All career East Ridge firefighters are state certified firefighters and emergency medical technicians/first responders. They are all also certified hazardous materials technicians. East Ridge firefighters protect approximately 21,000 residents and respond to almost 3,000 alarms annually.