Class 1 Since ’80: Baton Rouge Fire Sets the Gold Standard

Baton Rouge Fire Chief Mike Kimble joins the show to celebrate a major milestone: the department has once again earned a Class 1 rating from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana—an elite designation it’s held continuously since 1980. This top-tier rating means lower insurance premiums for residents and unmatched emergency response standards. Chief Kimble breaks down the rigorous criteria, from lightning-fast response times to daily training and inter-agency coordination. With 96% of calls answered in under five minutes and 580 personnel committed to excellence, Baton Rouge’s fire service proves why it’s one of the best in the nation.