SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Springfield Fire Department was recognized at Tuesday night’s Springfield City Council Meeting for retaining its ISO Class 1 Rating for another year.

Chief Nick Zummo said it was a “grueling year-long study” and only about one percent of the more than 47,000 of the fire protection areas nationwide achieve the rating. He also thanked the Water Department and Sangamon County 9-1-1. He credited the City Council’s funding with helping SFD maintain a four-minute response time.

Ward 8 Alderwoman Erin Conley noted that she personally witnessed a traffic accident and that it took less than 4 minutes for a fire truck to arrive on scene. She also asked Chief Zummo about the use of Knox Boxes, saying many constituents have asked her about them. Zummo said about 50 percent of the city’s supply is currently being used.

A Knox Box is a wall-mounted box that hold keys to allow first responders to gain entry into a building in the event of an emergency without damage due to forced entry.

A press release on the rating was also issued Tuesday.

ISO (Insurance Services Office) evaluates fire departments and the communities they service based on several areas that contribute to protection, including emergency communications, water supply, department resources, deployment, training, equipment, operations, and Community Risk Reduction.

Class 1 is the highest rating a community can receive.