The Mountain Home Fire Department has announced that its Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating will improve from a Class 3 to a Class 2 starting January 1, 2027, a change that could lead to reduced property insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses within the city limits. Fire Chief Kris Quick confirmed the updated rating in a release issued this week.
Residents hoping to see savings on their property insurance must notify their insurance agents of the updated rating and verify its impact on their policies, according to the department. ISO, a private company owned by Verisk, evaluates fire protection capabilities in approximately 48,000 communities nationwide on a scale of 1 to 10. A Class 1 rating represents the highest level of fire protection, while Class 10 indicates that a community does not meet minimum standards.
ISO grades are determined by an inspection process that evaluates a fire department’s staffing, training, equipment, station locations, water supply systems, hydrants, and 911 call centers. Departments may also earn additional credit for fire prevention and public education efforts. Insurance providers use ISO ratings as one factor in calculating property insurance premiums, with lower ratings generally associated with reduced costs. However, not all insurance companies place the same emphasis on ISO ratings, so potential savings will vary by policy.
Mountain Home’s Class 3 rating has been in place for over two decades, dating back to at least 2003. Chief Quick noted that the department has consistently worked to improve beyond its longstanding ranking. The department serves an estimated 12,825 residents within the city’s 13 square miles, in addition to roughly 7,000 residents in the 54-square-mile Mountain Home Rural Fire District. Last year, the department responded to 3,541 calls using a combination of 29 full-time firefighters and 10 paid-per-call volunteers.
In 2025, Mountain Home opened its new Sharp Family Station 2, located on Highway 62 East, replacing an older fire station on Sunset Drive. The distribution of fire stations is one factor considered in ISO scoring. The improved Class 2 rating applies exclusively to properties within city limits; the Mountain Home Rural Fire District will retain its Class 4 rating for properties located within five miles of a fire station.
City officials have praised the fire department’s accomplishment, describing it as a reflection of their commitment to protecting lives and property. The fire department also expressed gratitude to its personnel and the community for their support in achieving the higher rating.