CONCORD, N.C. -- The Concord fire department is now one of only nine departments in the state with a top insurance rating.

• The fire department spent five years trying to lower its ISO
• New rating puts the Concord Fire Department in the top .03% in the country
• The ISO rating is based on a scale from 1 to 10

The fire department spent five years trying to lower its ISO, or insurance service officer rating, to one.

The new rating puts the Concord Fire Department in the top .03% in the country.

The fire department is not only reassuring homeowners, but helping attract more businesses as well, through lower insurance rates.

"It’s an indication of how committed the city is to providing the best fire protection and the best service period," says Fire Chief Ray Allen.

The ISO rating is based on a scale from 1 to 10. City officials say Concord's rating has been lowered 4 times in the past 22 years.

The official rating for the department begins in September.