The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates fire departments based on a grading schedule. The department receives a numerical rating from 1 to 10; 1 indicating the best class possible and 10 indicating an unprotected classification.  Insurance companies use this information to classify property insurance rates for homeowners and commercial businesses.

The grading schedule uses three main areas to assess a given cities potential capability to suppress structure type fires:  Receiving and handling fire alarms (10%), fire department (50%), and water supply (40%).

The City of Scottsboro is rated a Class 4.