The City of Groveland is proud to announce the Fire Department has earned a prestigious Class 2/2X rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), placing it among the top 2,500 fire departments nationwide and in the top 6% of agencies across the country for fire protection and response. 

The ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) program evaluates how well a fire department is prepared to prevent and respond to fires. Ratings range from 1 to 10, with Class 1 representing the best possible score. ISO ratings indicate a high level of service but can also result in lower property insurance premiums for homeowners and businesses. 

“This is a major achievement for the City of Groveland and a reflection of our strong commitment to public safety,” Mayor Keith Keogh says. “It’s also a win for our residents, who may see cost savings on their insurance and can feel confident in the quality of emergency services we provide.” 

City Manager Mike Hein also praised the accomplishment, “Achieving Class 2 required great coordination between departments and partners. I want to especially commend Fire Chief Kevin Carroll for his leadership, vision, and dedication in guiding the department through this multi-year effort. His commitment to continuous improvement has positioned Groveland as a leader in public safety and service.” 

The upgraded rating follows years of strategic investment and progress since the City’s last ISO review in 2019, when it earned a Class 3/3X rating. Since then, the Groveland Fire Department has made targeted improvements in training programs, emergency response times, fire inspections, community outreach for prevention and education, added personnel, and an investment in crucial equipment. The department also works closely with the City’s water service contractors to ensure all fire hydrants throughout the city are properly maintained and flushed annually, with detailed records of each test to support water supply readiness. 

“These improvements didn’t happen overnight,” Fire Chief Kevin Carroll says. “This ISO rating is the result of years of teamwork. From our firefighters on the front lines to the administrative staff supporting our operations, everyone played a role in reaching this milestone. We’re grateful to the City Council, City leadership, and our community partners for believing in our mission and investing in the tools and training we need to protect Groveland.” 

The ISO rating process evaluates three main components: the fire department itself (staffing, training, and equipment), the community’s water supply (hydrants and flow capacity), and the emergency communications system. The improved Class 2 rating demonstrates that Groveland has made exceptional progress across all three areas.