HICKORY — The City of Hickory Fire Department has again earned a Class 1 Public Protection Classification from Insurance Services Office, the city said May 12, 2026.
ISO independently evaluates fire protection. A Class 1 rating is the highest on a 1-to-10 scale. The city said less than 1 percent of fire departments reach that mark, ranking Hickory among the nation’s best. Insurance companies use the score when setting property rates. Hickory said the Class 1 rating shows industry-leading protection for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Hickory Fire was the 14th department in North Carolina to reach Class 1. The city called it a team effort that included Public Utilities, Catawba County Communications, and the Fire Department.
“The City of Hickory Fire Department continues to have a proud tradition of providing excellent service and will continue to maintain the high standards expected by our community. We are extremely proud of this accomplishment,” Fire Chief Matt Hutchinson said.
The city said an inspection by the N.C. Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal uses a 100-point scale: fire-department staffing, capabilities, training, and equipment (50 points); city water supply and infrastructure (40); emergency communications (10); and community risk-reduction programs (up to 5.5 extra-credit points). Most rural districts, the city said, fall into the 9S category.
A higher rating, the city said, suggests a department is better equipped to respond and can also significantly lower insurance rates in that fire district.
The May 12 notice does not list the inspection date, Hickory’s numeric score, or a dollar change in insurance premiums.
Official release from City of Hickory, May 12, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/hickory-fire-department-maintains-iso-class-1-rating
