Liz Writes Life
January 14, 2022
Last week, I was contacted by the Scott Valley Fire
Protection District and asked if I would include its most recent public
announcement in my column. Sure thing!
As you all know, the catastrophic wildfires threatening communities
throughout the West are affecting insurance policies and premiums as well as
the volunteer fire departments. These rural fire departments are a life saver
in a variety of instances, especially fires.
I remember back around the early 1980s, when several Scott
Valley residents decided to form the Scott Valley Fire Protection District to
not only provide faster response times to fires, but to provide support for
obtaining fire insurance and lower premium costs on homes and ranches. It was a
big deal! Several property owners donated the use of their land and even a barn
to house an engine or water tender. Grants and fund raisers brought-in needed
equipment, especially as the SVFPD was able to expand coverage throughout the
valley.
I want to thank the many volunteers that have continued to
support, served on the board and fight fire for the SVFPD during the past
40-plus years. They also work in cooperation with the Etna and Fort Jones
Volunteer Fire Departments, Cal Fire and the USFS.
News Release from the Scott Valley Fire Protection District –
Dec. 14, 2021
The Board of Commissioners, and Chiefs Paul Buchter and Steve
Poling, are issuing this update on operations at Scott Valley Fire.
As you know, California continues to experience extreme fire
conditions and catastrophic fires. In Scott Valley, our calls for service have
risen considerably.
Historically, Scott Valley Fire District had seven stations,
strategically placed every five miles from Masterson Road southeast of Callahan
to Scott River Road, five miles west of Fort Jones. Our service area covers 842
square miles, with mutual aid provided by Etna and Fort Jones fire departments.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, three of those stations were recently
closed: Masterson, Eastside, and Scott River. Four remain: Greenview, Moffett
Creek, Callahan, and French Creek.
The closure of the Eastside and Scott River stations has
sparked concern. For one thing, residents report that their homeowners’
insurance costs are skyrocketing. A local citizen reported to SVFPD Board Chair
Larry Alexander that his insurance “increased from an ISO rating of 4 to a 10
because SVFPD no longer has a station on Scott River Road.”
So, what is an ISO rating? The Insurance Services Office
(ISO) is a private corporation that evaluates entities for insurance rating
purposes. This rating system considers available water supply and pressure,
equipment, driving time, and number of trained personnel. Neither SVFPD nor any
other fire department in the Valley has ever qualified for a 4 rating (that’s a
Big City paid fire department rating with lots of hydrants!)
Scott Valley Fire currently has an 8B ISO rating. Not bad,
considering we’re an all-volunteer rural department—with no hydrants. Oh, and
don’t forget the 842 square miles. Some areas of the district, for various
reasons, primarily location, still have a 9 or 10 rating. Historically, most of
the District was a 10. Throughout the state, insurance companies are raising
rates due to increased fire danger, recent catastrophic fires, and high
insurance payouts. Scott Valley Fire will continue working hard to improve our
ISO ratings.
The citizen reporting to Larry Alexander was accustomed to
having a fire station within one-half mile of his property. Now the nearest is
5.5 miles away in Ft. Jones. Of course, SVFPD would like to have another
station on Scott River Road—we have an engine and water tender available. If
you would like to join, support, or learn more about your local Scott Valley
Fire Department, please contact any of your neighbors listed below. Thank you
for your continued support. We greatly appreciate it.
Larry
Alexander, Board Chair -- 530 468-2888
Scott
Frick, Commissioner -- 530 643-1413
Paul
Buchter, Chief -- 530 598-7249
Steve
Poling, Assistant Chief -- 530 340-3245
Bottom-line (from Liz):
So that these three stations can be reopened, residents need to step up
and become volunteers for the SVFPD. As Uncle Sam posters during World War II
stated: You are needed! Well, I just Googled World War II posters and found
they really said: I want you! Oops I got it wrong. Either way, to make our
community safer, more volunteers are needed. Thanks for thinking about it!
Nothing on Mike Hunt
Last week, I said I would report any info learned about Etna
Police Chief Mike Hunt. I did make contact with several people to see what they
recalled about his accidental death, while testing a new ambulance for the city
on Sept. 8, 1972. Neither could remember if he was driving or how the accident
happened. Mike is on the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department list of “Fallen
Peace Officers,” so that is a good thing.
May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it
makes you feel better!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County. Columns from the past
can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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