Designation places local district among a small group nationwide
The Ridge Road Fire District has earned the nation’s highest fire protection rating, placing it among a small percentage of communities to receive the designation.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) awarded the district a Class 1 Public Protection Classification after evaluating staffing, training, equipment, emergency communications, water supply, and community risk-reduction efforts. About 1.4% of communities evaluated nationwide hold a Class 1 rating.
“This achievement reflects the work and commitment of our entire organization,” Fire Chief Sean McGarry said. “It is the result of years of planning, training, investment, and continuous evaluation. Most importantly, it represents our commitment to providing the highest level of fire and emergency services possible to the residents and businesses we serve.”
ISO representatives formally awarded the designation during a ceremony at the District Headquarters on October 1.
Two Distinctions
The achievement is especially notable because Ridge Road also holds international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a distinction it has maintained since 2005. Ridge Road and the City of Rochester Fire Department are currently the only two fire departments in New York State to hold both distinctions.
The two programs evaluate different areas. The ISO rating measures a community’s overall fire protection system. CFAI accreditation considers broader organizational factors, including planning, performance, accountability, and continuous improvement, through self-assessment, peer review, on-site verification, and formal commission review.
What the Rating Could Mean for Property Owners
The new rating could also affect property insurance. Insurers may consider ISO classifications when setting coverage, deductibles, and rates. Although stronger classifications can lead to lower rates when other factors are equal, each company uses its own underwriting standards. The district encourages homeowners and business owners to contact their insurance providers to ask whether the new Class 1 rating may affect their individual property insurance rates.
Service by the Numbers
In 2025, Ridge Road personnel responded to more than 6,100 emergency calls, completed more than 52,000 hours of firefighter training, provided fire safety education to nearly 4,900 children, and offered fire and fall-prevention education to nearly 400 older residents.
“This recognition belongs to the men and women of the Ridge Road Fire District who work every day to maintain a high standard of service,” McGarry said. “It also reflects the support and partnership of our Board of Fire Commissioners, the Monroe County Emergency Communications Center, the Monroe County Water Authority, our neighboring fire departments and, most importantly, the residents we are privileged to serve.”
Established in 1922, the Ridge Road Fire District provides 24-hour emergency services from three fire stations covering approximately 16 square miles in the southern portion of the Town of Greece. The district is a fully career department that provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, public education, and community outreach services.
Photos from Facebook/Ridge Road Fire District
Pictured from left are Assemblyman Josh Jensen, Fire Chief Sean McGarry, Greece Supervisor Jeff McCann, an ISO representative, and Deputy Chief Joseph Muniz.
