Cloverdale RFPD hails new insurance ratings
After a year and a half of waiting, the results are in. The Insurance Services Office has released its newest rating for the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District.
ISO is the entity that rates fire departments throughout the U.S. and directly influences homeowners’ fire insurance rates.
On a scale of 10, with 1 being the best rating, Cloverdale received a 6 for all homes in the Fire District and a 3 for homes within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant, which includes all of Aspen Lakes, a portion of Panoramic View Estates, and the homes near the end of Ponderosa Cascade.
These ratings are almost unheard of in a rural fire district and are among the lowest in Central Oregon. According to ISO, only 3.4% of fire departments nationwide have attained an ISO rating of 3 or better and only 39% have attained a rating of 6 or better.
ISO rates fire districts in 3 categories and assigns points. Ten percent of the score is based on how well alarms are dispatched and received by the County 911 Center. Fifty percent of the scored is based on a fire department’s station distribution, personnel, equipment, and training. Forty percent of the overall score focuses on water delivery.
The Volunteers, as well as their equipment, training, and water supply are crucial to the rating. “Without a dedicated group of Volunteers, the District would not be where it’s at today,” said Fire Chief Thad Olsen. “We have a great group of men and women who donate their time to training in order to provide the District with the great service we have. The Board of Directors has been very supportive and has provided for some much needed equipment upgrades. The ISO rating is a testament to everyone’s hard work.”
CRFPD Board President Keith Cyrus seconded Olsen’s praise and credits Chief Olsen and the District’s volunteers with this very favorable rating. “Our low tax rate combined with a great ISO rating couldn’t be achieved without the hard work and dedication of Chief Olsen, Deputy Chief Thomas, and all of the great volunteers. These men and women volunteer hundreds of hours of their time and expertise to providing excellent fire and medical service to the community.”
Water supply is key aspect of the rating and Chief Olsen credits the Aspen Lakes water system with helping the district achieve these ratings.
Prior to the development of Aspen Lakes, the District had maintained an ISO rating of a class 8. When Aspen Lakes was developed, the developers installed fire hydrants and a high volume water supply system, as well as, an extra hydrant at the intersection of Hwy 126 and Camp Polk road for the benefit of the Fire District and its patrons.
In addition, they also helped the Fire District install a hydrant in the Sun Mountain water system at the end of Ponderosa Cascade in order to serve the water supply needs in the south end of the district. Having a fire hydrant at those locations allows the District to fill its water tenders rapidly and reduce turn around time during fires.
With the new hydrant fill sites, the Fire District was then able to challenge its ISO classification for the first time and in 1998 it improved its rating from the ISO class 8 to a class 6. At that time, Aspen Lakes was not rated separately. Instead, its rating numbers were averaged into the district’s non hydranted areas in order to improve the overall District ISO score. This time, due to a number of improved capabilities by the Fire District, the Aspen Lakes community and a portion of the Ponderosa Cascade area were scored separately and received an ISO class 3, while the rest of the district was able to maintain its class 6 rating in spite of a more stringent classification process.
In recent years, Cloverdale has upgraded its three water tenders, which can be filled rapidly and better deliver the water necessary to fight fires anywhere in the District that does not have hydrants.
To the taxpayers in Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, this means a potential savings in fire insurance premiums that could more than offset the property tax that they pay for fire protection. With a typical coverage plan, a home that is insured for $500,000 would pay approximately $2,500 if it were outside the Fire District. If it were in CRFPD’s boundaries, it would pay $1,800, and if it were within 1,000 feet of a hydrant, it would pay $1,200. The savings potential with the new ISO ratings can be significant. Chief Olsen advises homeowners to check with their insurance company to ensure they are getting the best rate possible.
Olsen added, “The District is always looking for dedicated Volunteers to be part of our organization. If you reside in Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District and are interested in serving the public, to please contact us.”
