Professional fire protection consulting, ISO pre-audits and hands on assistance with your next rating, master planning, evaluation of risk versus resources, station location analysis, fire apparatus design.
ISO Slayer bases its company mission and goals to reflect elevated standards and expectations from new approaches that are proven by results, results that typically lead the industry regarding community fire service improvements.
We are available to assist you with your ISO rating by providing you with our consultation services. The staff of ISO Slayer has over 50 years combined experience in the fire service. We have the experience and knowledge necessary to provide you with the opportunity to obtain the lowest ISO rating possible for your community. Our consultation advice is not only based on current ISO practices, but also real world fire fighting operations and techniques.
ISO is only one facet of a fire departments responsibility to its community. Our information will be based on your actual fire fighting practices, response times, coverage areas, equipment and training. The suggestions we make will assist your department in taking fire fighting to the next level.
We look forward to assisting you in your efforts to improve your community's ISO rating. Please feel free to contact us at one of the following phone numbers or address:
(970)882-8027 - Home, (970)749-9095 - Cell, [email protected]
The biggest and smallest towns in the U.S. Class 1's.
Best ISO Grade in the U.S, 13 times.
The highest score ever attained by a paid department 97.01 points.
The highest score attained by a volunteer department 95.27 points.
The highest score attained by a combination department 94.81 points.
Best paid department ISO grade in the U.S, 8 times.
Best combination fire department ISO grade in the U.S, 4 times.
Best volunteer department ISO grade in the U.S, 8 times.
Best ISO rural water supply grade in the U.S, 12 times.
Best ISO hose lay grade in the U.S, 8 times.
Best ISO tanker shuttle grade in the U.S, 8 times.
Best largest city ISO grade in the U.S, 3 times.
Best smallest town ISO grade in the U.S, 9 times.
First and only volunteer department ISO Class 1's in the U.S, three times.
Combination department ISO Class 1's, 4 times.
Best ISO grade in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
Best paid department ISO grade in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
Best volunteer department ISO grade in Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina,
Best Combination department ISO grade in Texas and Arizona.
Best rural ISO water supply grades in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, California, New Mexico, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia and now Michigan.
Largest class drops in rating history 3 times, 8 classes at 3 times; 7 classes at once, 3 times; 6 classes at one time, 5 times; 5 classes at 4 times, 5 classes, 4 times; and 4 classes at one time 5 times.
Largest class drop to the coveted Class 1: An 8 class drop, 3 times; 5 classes, twice; and 5 classes twice and four classes, 3.
30 of the top 32 rural water supply grades in the country (All Class 6 or better),
Best rural water supply grades, Class 1, 2, 3's and 4's.
Central Mat-Su Fire Department, Wasilla, Alaska, Chief Jack Krill [email protected] Department regressed from an ISO Class 5 to an ISO Class 6 Wrote justifications for ISO plan to assist department re-obtain their class 5, assisting with the development of a short range plan as well as a long range plan.
River Oaks Fire Department, River Oaks, Texas, Captain Ray Hubbard [email protected] The city council had voted to sell a fire engine and not replace it, dropping their fire apparatus from 3 - 2. Wrote justification for replacement of existing engine that reversed council's decision, allowing the fire department to replace the aging engine with a 2004 Class A pumper.
Farmington Fire Department, Farmington, New Mexico, Chief Robert Martin, [email protected] (505) 599-1430. Presented information to fire department and city council informing them of the possible regression from an ISO Class 4 to an ISO Class 6. Presented a 2 year plan which includes; building 2 additional stations, purchasing 4 Quints, 2 Tower ladders and 2 Rescues and hiring 39 additional personnel.
After our assessment, presentation and the recommendations we made, as of February 8, 2005, Farmington City Council approved the sale of general bonds to build 1 station, purchase (2) 95' tower ladders, (3) 75' quints, hire 12 new personnel immediately and build a second station, purchase an additional 75' quint and hire an additional 12 new personnel in Fiscal Year 2006
NEW AS OF 3-15-2006
The trucks are all fully outfitted and in service.
Farmington Fire Department has been working around the clock preparing for their upcoming ISO inspection the 4th-7th of April. The city purchased 2400 colored Storz hydrant caps and adaptors from Kochek and the crews are busy installing them. Information on Kochek can be found at: www.kochek.com
NEW AS OF 9-15-2006
ISO arrived the first part of April to conduct the PPC grading. Of the 481 buildings on our Batch List we had determined earlier that there were 113 buildings on our Batch List that no longer existed, were not in our fire district, or they were sprinkled and not recieving the proper credit. We asked that these buildings be reviewed and removed from our Batch List. ISO informed us of a three fold plan. First, they would continue to collect the data required for our PPC grading, second, they would arrange for a second Field Rep to spend 5 days reviewing the more difficult buildings on our buildings in question list and finally they would have a third Field Rep spend 10 days finishing up the buildings in question. This was important due to the fact that buildings on your Batch List can and will be used against you in determining Needed Fire Flow locations. Of the 113 buildings, we were able to resolve all but 8 buildings.
The second major achievement was the fact that we asked to demonsrate long LDH hose lays in order to suppliment the areas of the city that were short on water. We were told several times by the ISO guy that this was not necessary in a city as we would recieve credit for up to 1000' anyway. This statement is mostly true, however, the credit would only be 250 GPM at 1000' and we wanted the full 1000 GPM at 1000'. We also had areas of the city where we lay up to 2,000' of LDH in order to lay over low flow grids in our water system. The day of the LDH hose lay we experienced a disaster, one of the new E-One Quints used in the hose lay would not shift into pump. Our 5 minutes came and went right on up to the point where we told the ISO guy we wanted this test declared a failure due to mechanical error. The Quint was pulled out of the test, looked over and tested numerous times and a new drill was set up. The second test almost failed as well, but at the last possible minute the pump engaged and we had 250 GPM flowing at the end of a 2000' LDH hose lay at the 4:38 mark. As we were walking back to the car the ISO guy commented that we would be the first department to receive full credit for LDH hose in New Mexico.
With the sight inspection completed and the paperwork in order the ISO guy rode off into the sunset. We have our numbers in order and are waiting for the rating to come back for review. It is crucial that you keep good records as you work your way through a rating. Without good records you will not have any idea of how ISO came up with the numbers for your rating and you will not be able to dispute anything. This has proved true as our rating came back incorrect. We are working with ISO to calculate our numbers correctly, check back soon.
Groveland Township Fire Department, Holly, Michigan, Chief Steve McGee [email protected] (248) 634-7722. Completed ISO pre-survey, documented current ISO rating and provided a plan to lower ISO rating from the current ISO Class 9 to a possible Class 4. GTFD is in the process of obtaining 2 new Class A engines as well as a source pumper as recommended. Water sources will be accessible with the use of Turbo-Drafts�
After our assessment, presentation and the recommendations we made, as of February 9, 2005, the Groveland Township Board approved the purchase of (2) 2005 E-One 1750 GPM pumpers and the purchase of a used 1500 GPM pumper for a source pumper.
NEW AS OF 3-15-2006
www.grovelandfire.org/app.htm
The New Engines are in!!!
All loose equipment is being loaded on the units and they should be in service soon. Pictures are located on the link above
NEW AS OF 9-15-2006
ISO arrived on the 22nd of August. Over the next 3 days Groveland Fire Department proceeded to impress the Field Rep. They had a combined total of around 30" of binders loaded with documentation. I would like to say that the Field Rep we worked with was one of the most professional and pleasant people I have had the privilege of working with. On the 23rd Groveland performed their tanker shuttle drill and I can say that myself and both of the the ISO guys were impressed when we drove around the corner to the drill sight and saw all 29 tankers lined up loaded with almost 82,000 gallons of water. Groveland had no trouble setting up and flowing the required 250 GPM in under 5 minutes. The 24th they performed their long LDH hose lay, also with no trouble. The final paperwork is being preparred and should be sent off to the ISO guy in the next few days and then all they will have to do is sit back and wait for the rating to arrive.
NEW AS OF 2-16-2007
The rating has arrived!!! Groveland Township Fire Department formerly Class 9/10 applied, as of May 1st 2007 Class 4/10 will apply.
Groveland Fire becomes the First rural department in the entire State of Michigan to achieve a Class 4 without a municipal water system. They also have the best improvement in Michigan State history by improving 5 entire Classes at one time.
Groveland used a combination of 5" LDH hose lays and tanker shuttles to prove they could move as much as 3,000 GPM.
Chief Steve McGee is quoted as saying, "I am extremely pleased with what our guys accomplished, the months of hard work has finally paid off!"
Groveland Township Supervisor Depalma stated that he contacted his personal isurance and determined that his rates would improve by over $300.00 annually. He informed the Chief that using his own figures and the total number of properties in their fire district, he figures that this will provide a several million dollar savings to the citizens over the rating period.
We will post more on this exciting subject in the upcoming weeks.
During the rating we worked with an ISO Senior Field Rep named "John". I have to say that in the past we could expect to fight for each and every thing we tried to accomplish, this time however, things went very well. I informed "John" that working with him was probably the best experience I had ever had with ISO.
Hubbardston Fire Department - Massachusetts, Hubbardston is a totally rural fire department with a current ISO Rating of 6. It was determined by a pre-survey that if re-rated today they would regress to an ISO Class 8. A plan was presented to lower their ISO Rating to an ISO Class 4. This plan included the purchase of (2) Identical engines with 3,500 GPM pumps and 2,000 gallon tanks, both with CAFS.
As of February 15, 2005, Hubbardston Fire Department has received approval from the Town's Capital Planning Committee to move forward with the purchase of two identical pumper tankers.
NEW AS OF 4-4-2005
Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department, Bexar County Texas, Chief Sam Dibrell, JR. [email protected] . Visited Bexar-Bulverde Fire District to view the new PGA Village that is under construction in their fire district in order to provide documentation to prove that the San Antonio Fire Department would not be able to provide service to the area due to the 5 road mile rule in effect by ISO. San Antonio had offered to provide service to the developers at a reduced cost, suggesting that their ISO Class 3 would apply. After review it was determined that if San Antonio Fire covers the new area it would recieve an ISO Class 10. Also conducted a pre-survey of the entire fire district to determine new station placement and additional apparatus in order for them to attain a possible ISO Class 2 or 3.
NEW AS OF 3-15-2006
Hello guys I just wanted to pass on some exciting news regarding the Hickory Creek Fire Department in NW Arkansas. HCFD is an all volunteer department covering approx 20 square miles and responds to approx 75 ? 100 call per year. The department was formed in 1980 and had an ISO rating of a 9. About a year ago I received a copy of your ISO Playbook and began reading and studying it. In March of this year I requested An ISO audit. In July we were audited, the test went really good we had a few glitches but the ISO rep seemed to be pleased. We were hoping for a class 5 but, when the rating came in we were very happy with a class 4 rating. I would like to thank you guys without the playbook I don?t believe we would have lowered our rating so much.
www.hickorycreekfire.org
Thanks,
Asst. Chief Marc Trollinger
NEW AS OF 9-15-2006
This e-mail arrived and is posted with permission:
David,
I am Fire Marshal with the Sedgwick County Fire Department that covers the County around Wichita Kansas.
We had Larry Stevens in to help us in 2004 and he was an amazing fire service thinker. He led us in the right direction on improving our ISO PPC rating.
Our survey from ISO began in June of 2005 and we were notified in March of this year that our rural rating would be going from a 9/10 to a 5/10 as of July 1st.
We have mapped all the residences affected by this change and put the numbers together, the total potential savings to the Sedgwick County Fire District homeowners is over 3 million dollars per year in insurance premiums.
I believe that this 5/10 is the best rural rating in the state of Kansas.
Thanks to Larry who jump started us on the way to getting the vastly improved rating.
[email protected]
Tim Millspaugh, Fire Marshal
NEWEST AS OF 9-12-2007
This is a list of the current clients that we are working with, or providing information for:
Upper Pine Fire Protection District, Bayfield, Colorado
University of Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska
Boardman Fire Protection District, Boardman, Oregon
South Lane County Fire and Rescue, Oregon
Emergency Services District 7, Texas
Cortez Fire Protection District, Colorado
Farmington Fire Department, New Mexico
San Juan County Fire, New Mexico
Valparaiso Fire Department, Indiana
San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, California
Bexar-Bulverde Fire Department, Texas
NEWEST AS OF 8-11-2008
Valparaiso Fire Department improves rating from an ISO Class 6 to Class 3. The new rating went into effect 6-1-2008
Farmington Fire Department improves from an ISO Class 4 to a Class 3 by scoring 79.51 points. ISO's paperwork had them scored incorrectly and we are still working with them to improve to a Class 2....Stay tuned
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of Larry Davis who lost his battle with cancer. Larry was a leader in rural water supply operations and thinking outside the box. There are not many fire departments that do not owe a debt of gratitude to Larry for his inovative thinking. Rest in peace Larry
(Click to view sites)
Tomball, TX
Tomball Volunteer Fire Department. Tomball, Texas. Formerly an ISO Class 4 town covering 33% of the response district and a Class 9 and 10 areas without fire hydrants covering 25 square miles. The department earned a ISO Class 1 in town and an ISO Class 2 in the entire rural area. Acquisitions:: One CAFS pumper tanker and a change from 4 inch to 5 inch supply hose. The best rural water supply grade in the U.S. all time. Third volunteer department to earn a Class 1 in the U.S. The department has the two best ISO grades in the country. Scored the best ISO score for a volunteer fire department ever! The largest class drop in rural water supply history.
Crosby, TX
Crosby Volunteer Fire Department. Crosby, Texas. Formerly a Class 6 town covering only 6 square miles and a Class 9 and 10 rural area covering 200 square miles. Current grade ISO Class 4 district wide. Acquisitions: Five new fully equipped trucks and three new fire stations. Tied for the second best rural water supply grade in the U.S. Tied for the second largest drop in rural water supply grading.
Magnolia, TX
Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department. Magnolia, Texas. Formerly a Class 6 town covering 4 square miles and a 295 square mile Class 9 and 10 rural district. Earned an ISO Class 3 district wide without hydrants in one step. Acquisitions:13 new fully equipped trucks and a station. The best rural water supply grade in Texas at the time tied for second today. Second largest drop in rural water supply rating ever.
Fallon, NV
Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department. Fallon, Nevada. Formerly an ISO Class 5 city covering only 9 square miles and ISO Class 8/9/10 rural area. Currently a Class 1 city and a Class 3 district wide 400 square mile rural area without hydrants. Acquisitions: Four new CAFS trucks fully equipped and three fire stations. The nation's first ISO Class 1 volunteer fire department. The largest drop to a Class 1 in ISO history at the time and second best all time. The best rural water supply grade in the U.S. for five years and tied for second today.
Spring, TX
Spring Emergency Services District. Spring Texas. Formerly an ISO Class 6 town covering 40% of the response district and a Class 9 and 10 areas without fire hydrants. Department goal ISO Class 4 district wide. Earned a Class 3. Acquisitions: 13 new trucks fully equipped ISO grade without hydrants to be announced.
Rattlesnake, CO
Rattlesnake Volunteer Fire Protection District. Parker, Colorado. Formerly an ISO Class 9/10 - 60 square mile district to a Class 5 district wide without hydrants. Acquisitions: Three new trucks fully equipped, sprinkled all fire stations, constructed numerous cisterns and a fire station. Third best ISO grade in Colorado.
Stafford, TX
Stafford and The Meadows Volunteer Fire Departments. Stafford, Texas. Formerly an ISO Class 5 town and Class 9 rural area. The department also covered a second city with an ISO Class 6 on contract. Earned four ISO CLass 1's. Acquisitions: Three new fully equipped trucks and a fire station.
Annaville, TX
Nueces Volunteer Emergency Services District #1. Annaville, Texas. Formerly ISO Class 5 town covering only 3 square miles of their 95 square mile district and a Class 9 and 10 rural area. Department goal ISO Class 4 district wide without fire hydrants. The new grade is an ISO Class 3 district wide with a Class 2 pending addendum credit. Using nine turbodrafts, a collection of tanker pumpers and lots of large diameter hose a solution was devised to address all fire flows up to 3500 gpm in their district with static water supplies or distant hydrants. Acquisitions: Three new and expanded stations, additional water points, a paid fire chief and nine new fully equipped CAFS trucks.
Incline, NV
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. Incline Village, Nevada. Formerly an ISO Class 4. Earned an ISO Class 3. Acquisitions: Two new fully equipped trucks.
Grand Lake, CO
Grand Lake Volunteer Fire Protection District. Grand Lake. Current rating Class 6 town and Class 9/10 district. Goal Class 4 town and Class 5 rural area without hydrants. Acquisitions: Helped get approval for a 5.2 million dollar bond issue for ten new trucks fully equipped, 18 water point dry hydrants and a fire station.
Houston, TX
Houston Fire Department. Houston, Texas. Formerly a Class 3 city with large county areas with Class 9/10 ratings. Now the Nation's largest Class 1 city and Class 1 district wide with and without hydrants in the rural areas. Helped increase staffing by 25% and coverted 1/3 the fleet to CAFS in less than a year. Largest drop in a rural area in ISO history.
Granbury, TX
Granbury Volunteer Fire Department. Granbury, Texas. Class 5 town covering only 8 square miles and a Class 9 rural area covering 78 square miles. Earned an ISO Class 3 town and Class 6 in the rural area without hydrants. The first fire department supply ISO rating in Texas. Acquisitions: 10 new fully equipped trucks. The first rural water supply grade in Texas.
Loveland, CO
Loveland Fire Department, Colorado and Loveland Rural Fire District. Formerly a mixed area of Class 4, 6, 9 and 10. Now district wide Class 4. Aquisitions: Three fully equipped trucks. The second best rural water supply grade in Colorado.
Berthoud, CO
Berthoud Fire Department, Berthoud, Colorado. Currently an ISO Class 5 town and Class 9 and 10 rural area. More than half of the fire district and the people protected are a Class 10. Department goal ISO Class 4 district wide.Acquisitions: Nine new fully equipped trucks.
Dubois, PA
Dubois Volunteer Fire Department. Dubois, Pennsylvania. Moved from a Class 3 to a Class 1. The second ISO Class 1 volunteer fire department in the U.S.
Sambass FD, TX
Sam Bass Fire Department. Round Rock, Texas. City of 19,000 moved from a Class 6 to a Class 1 (pending) in one step and the Class 9 rural area is also a Class 1. Class 1 applies to all individually insured properties too. Tied for the largest drop to a Class 1 in ISO history at that time.. In just 4 months dropped the ISO grade 5 classes in town and 8 in the rural areas. Aquisitions: One fully equipped tower ladder and CAFS pumper, thermal imagers on all apparatus and doubled the amount of LDH supply hose. The best rural water supply grade in Texas and the U.S.
Frisco, TX
Frisco Fire Department. Frisco, Texas. Moved from a Class 6 to a Class 1 in one step. Tied Fallon for the largest drop to a Class 1 in ISO history at that time.
Marion, VA
MarionVolunteer Fire Department, Marion, Virginia. Department goal ISO Class 4 town Class 6 rural area. Acquisitions: Four new fully equipped trucks.
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