How many fire departments have a Class 1 ISO rating?

A Class 1 ISO rating is the highest rating a fire department can achieve from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This rating reflects the department's ability to respond effectively to fires and emergencies, considering factors like water supply, emergency communications, and crew training. Only a very small percentage of fire departments reach this elite status, which underlines the rigorous standards and comprehensive assessments involved in obtaining such a rating.

The assertion that only the top 0.01% of fire departments achieve a Class 1 ISO rating is supported by the statistics indicating that there are fewer than 100 departments out of approximately 30,000 fire departments across the United States with this rating, emphasizing how exceptional it is. That makes this classification extremely rare and signifies an elite level of service and preparedness, reinforcing why the correct choice highlights such a minuscule fraction of departments reaching this standard.

Other options suggest larger numbers of departments achieving a Class 1 rating, which does not align with the reality of ISO assessments and the competitive nature of fire service excellence.