Elk Grove Fire Department achieves highest possible rating for Fire Protection Services

The Elk Grove Village Fire Department has received the highest rating for a fire department, placing it among the top one percent of all fire departments in the country.

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) awarded the Elk Grove Fire Department with a Class 1 designation through its Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, which assesses communities' fire protection efforts. The ISO Class 1 rating is a testament to the exceptional standards of fire protection provided by the Elk Grove Village Fire Department.

ISO has evaluated the fire protection services of more than 46,000 fire departments across the nation. Only 498 nationwide, including 29 in the state of Illinois, have achieved a Class 1 designation, placing Elk Grove Village Fire Department in the top one percent of all fire departments in the country.

Additionally, Elk Grove Village Fire Department is now one of just 118 agencies worldwide with both an ISO Class 1 and Accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

The ISO surveys communities on a regular basis to determine the Public Protection Classification for the fire protection services protecting the community. A classification of 1 to 10 is assigned based upon the results of the survey -Class 1 being the best rating. The rating and fire department evaluation is based on factors such as the department's training, apparatus and response capabilities. ISO also assesses water supply, dispatch operations and fire prevention programs. This Class 1 rating for the Elk Grove Village Fire Department is an improvement over the Class 2 designation the department has carried for over 25 years.

"In our community, we take great pride in the exceptional fire protection services that ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and businesses. This top rating is a testament to our dedicated fire department and their unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our village," said Mayor Craig Johnson.

The ISO rating becomes effective on Feb. 1, 2024. The new rating is available to insurance companies who may use ISO and their public classification to establish insurance premiums for residential, commercial, and industrial property insurance rates.

The Elk Grove Village Fire Department is also an Accredited Agency, awarded by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE). An Accredited Agency is exceptionally effective in all aspects of firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials handling, training, personnel management, and communication.