Longboat Fire Rescue earns second highest rating with ISO

Longboat Key Fire Rescue has earned new recognition in operationality.

According to Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi, the Insurance Service Office, an advisory organization, has boosted the department’s Public Protection Classification ranking from Class 5 to Class 2.

Dezzi explained that the ISO ranks departments from one to 10, with the former representing an “exemplary fire suppression program” and the latter indicating that the department’s program does not meet ISO’s minimum requirements.

The ISO evaluated Longboat’s department based on:

• Personnel
• Training
• How staff receives and handles fire alarms
• Dispatch procedures
• Equipment and structure
• Water distribution system
• Department policies
• Contracts with neighboring fire departments

Dezzi said he is proud to report that the Key’s Fire Rescue is one of 1,324 fire departments in the United States with a Class 2 rating.