SMSC fire department earns prestigious performance rating
Mdewakanton Public Safety ranks within top 2% of fire departments nationally
Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) today announced that its public safety department received a Class 2 performance rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). With this high classification, Mdewakanton Public Safety (MPS) now ranks within the top 2% of fire departments across the country.
“Keeping our Community Members, guests, and neighbors safe is a top priority for our tribe,” said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. “We are very thankful to our Mdewakanton Public Safety team for their great work and dedication.”
ISO is a third party organization that evaluates the quality of service of more than 46,000 fire departments nationwide by conducting thorough inspections. Ratings are done on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the best rating possible.
“Our department works hard every day to provide the best possible service, constantly improving and refining our facilities, processes, and procedures,” said Greg Hayes, director of Mdewakanton Public Safety. “We are proud and humbled by this prestigious recognition.”
ISO ratings are based on several categories, including emergency communications, service delivery, water supply, and community risk reduction. MPS received high marks in each category, including recognition for its excellent response times, personnel training, public safety education, and fire code enforcement.
MPS also received perfect scores in several subcategories, including standard operating procedures and incident management systems, which relates to how MPS prepares for and manages incidents and special events.
In Minnesota, the fire departments of Saint Paul, Bloomington, and Winona also have ISO 2 ratings. There is no Minnesota fire department with an ISO 1 rating.
About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to Native American tribes and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County.