The City of Lebanon announced on Apr. 30 that it has received a Class 3 Public Protection Classification from ISO, the highest fire safety rating in the city’s history. The new rating will take effect on Aug. 1, and places Lebanon among the top tier of fire departments nationwide.
ISO grades fire departments across the United States on a scale from 1 to 10, with lower numbers indicating better protection. Lebanon improved its score from Class 4 to Class 3, joining only about 3,956 other departments with this ranking and placing it within the top 17 to 18 percent nationally.
The new classification could affect insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses in Lebanon. Deputy Chief Andy Woody said that while not all insurers use ISO ratings or apply them in the same way, “Lebanon’s fire protection is measurably stronger than it was.” He encouraged residents and business owners to contact their insurance providers about potential premium changes due to the new rating.
Mayor Jared Carr said, “Lebanon voters made an investment in this community in 2019, and we made promises about what that money would do. A new station on the southwest side. More firefighters. Better, faster response. This rating from an independent national organization confirms we delivered on every one of those promises. I’m proud of that — and I’m proud of the men and women who make it real every single day.” The improvements stemmed largely from building Fire Station 3 near Beck and Ivey Lanes—funded by a public safety sales tax approved by voters—and hiring ten additional firefighters.
Fire Chief Sam Schneider noted improvements since Fire Station 3 opened: “Since Fire Station 3 opened, average response times to the southwest side of Lebanon have improved from eight minutes and twenty seconds to six minutes and forty seconds.” Other factors contributing to the higher score included upgrades to Lebanon’s water system—which earned a near-perfect score—and enhanced emergency communications through collaboration with Laclede County’s new communications center.
Looking ahead, Woody said that further progress is planned: council has approved plans for a joint fire and police training facility aimed at improving future scores even more; efforts are also underway to bring hydrants closer to properties currently too far away; dispatch systems are being upgraded; backup circuits are being added; staffing levels are under review; and technical work continues on updating hydraulic water models for continued strong performance.
Schneider concluded: “Getting to Class 3 took real investment from this community and real commitment from our team. We know exactly what it will take to go further — and we’re already working on it.”
