Friday, January 14, 2022

Liz Writes Life - 1-19-22 Scott Valley Fire Protection District needs volunteers; insurance premiums are increasing without them!

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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