by Richard Uhlhorn
Commissioners Report:
On Thursday, February 13, Chelan Fire and Rescue hosted a Zoom meeting with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner personnel. Joining in this meeting were fire chiefs and commissioners from other districts.
The purpose of this meeting was to explore reasons behind home owner cancellations and rate increases along with how changes can be made to make the market more equitable and efficient for the homeowner.
David Forte, policy advisor at the OIC (Office of the Insurance Commissioner), explained that the insurance industry have no laws governing how they can cancel a policy. “If they just don’t want your property, there is nothing to stop them from cancelling.”
“We have no authority to tell them how they keep their data,” he added.
Forte explained that if a homeowner can’t find a new insurer after being cancelled, they can get a policy through the State’s bare bones Fair Plan. “We have 326 insured under this plan.”
California has 420,000 and Florida has 1 million insured under the Fair Plan.
There are 100+ companies underwriting home owners insurance in Washington. State Farm, Pemco, Liberty Mutual under Safeco are the three largest holding policies.
Forte said OIC’s new commissioner is seeking additional funding from the State to examine modern fire district ca. pabilities.
Chelan Fire commissioner Mark Donnell stated that “mitigation is what we do as a fire service. People pay us a lot of money to do that.” He went on to say that 90% of wildfires are kept below 10 acres.
Assessment is the home owner’s responsibility, but also the fire departments. It was noted that there is good product for insurance companies to use in their assessments.
Forte stated that assessments should be recognized, but not the guy who drives by and takes a few photos. “There should be a comprehensive report made yearly.”
Commissioner Russ Jones stated that property should be assessed for hardening.
“We need some consumer protection guardrails.”
“If we all start working together we will get something done,” stated a fire commissioner.
Forte stated he would be willing to come and talk to residents or at a town hall meeting. “The legislature are the ones who can affect change,” stated Forte. Donnell said he has already reached out Chelan’s representatives.
February 19 commission meeting:
Commissioner comments on Special Insurance meeting:
“It’s going to be challenge to come up with a plan,” said Russ Jones. “California is going to be painful,” stated Mark Donnell. “I’m not optimistic but we need to have these players in the room and work out something that works for everybody.”
The district would like to know what companies insurance underwriters use to determine rates and/or cancellations of home owner insurance policies. “We need to work with our representatives,” said Jones. Ron Simmons remarked that he wouldn’t be surprised if more cancellations or rate increases were coming. “I did have the yacht club contact me asking about water issues,” said Simmons.
The Round Table with OIC on February 11 didn’t answer any concrete questions on how to deal with insurance issues, but the District will continue to work on the issues.
Chief’s Report:
Chief Brandon Asher reported that 2024 saw five percent more calls than 2023.
Sixty nine percent of call outs were EMS and there were no fire calls in January.
Asher reported that the District received a $15,000 quote for a camera system for Station 71. “It’s a lot of money,” said Asher. “However, we have a lot of valuable and don’t always have the time to lock our doors when a call comes in.” Assistant Chief Shawn Sherman added that there have been break-ins in the past.
Assistant Chief Report:
Sherman reported that they have one new recruit but that applicant signed up after the Fire Academy was filled up.
Chelan Fire will be training with Manson District 5 at Old Mill Bay on March 25.
Firefighter John Steiner is taking an investigation course through WSRB.
Unfinished Business:
TIF:
Asher reported that Mayor McCardle is pretty confident that the $9 million from the U.S. Corp of Engineers would come through for the one million gallon reservoir in East Chelan lowering any TIF collections.
Boat offer:
Sherman reported that he traveled to PASCO to inspect the work boat the Pasco Fire Department is surplusing. Pasco FD obtained this boat through a grant from the Department of Ecology for potential oil spill containment on the Columbia River and for search and rescue operations.
The boat, worth an estimated $180,000 is being offered for free to another fire agency, however the district would like $20,000 for the electronics retrofitted since receiving this vessel. Sherman said the electronics alone are worth $50,000.
This aluminum vessel is a flat bottom platform capable of giving close to shore firefighting suppression.
Commissioner Mark Donnell said he was concerned. “There is no plan for the boat. I can’t support it.” Commissioner Ron Simmons stated that if Chelan didn’t already have a boat he’d be all over obtaining this one, but is also concerned about maintenance and operation issues it would bring to the department. “It would take another vehicle to pull the trailer. I don’t think I can support it right now.”
Assistant Chief Shaun Sherman argued that this vessel has a larger capacity for a larger pump and could be a mobile water firefighting platform to homes located on the water.
Commissioner Russ Jones said that from an economic standpoint, it makes sense to get this boat.
Sherman stated that the boat could be moored at Manson Marina where an operator could walk across the street from District 5 and respond to any on water issue.
Chief Asher remarked that Lake Chelan will have another fire sometime in the future where this boat could be of use.
Donnell argued that obtaining the boat would be a burden on the fire department. “We are still a small fire department.”
Sherman added that as a fire fighting vessel it would have a huge impact because of its capability to get close to shore. Jones said that if the department took the boat on it wouldn’t have to keep it forever. “If we can’t come up with a plan, sell it.”
Asher added that if someone was offering the department another brush truck, the department would be all over it. We have a lake and providing protection on the lake at a minimal cost is important. If it was a fire truck how would we look at it.”
Jones stated that the boat could be a backup vessel with the other boat. “We prevented a $100,000 dock from burning during the Pioneer Fire. We provided some pretty valuable services.” Donnell shot back that it wasn’t in the district. “We are not in a profit making business.”
It was decided to have a special meeting to discuss the boat and strategic plan.
All Things Lake Chelan 