PORT TOWNSEND — East Jefferson Fire Rescue has announced a fire protection class modification in and around the Kala Point geographic area that firefighters expect to save residents money on their insurance.
In March, East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) proposed a fire protection class (FPC) modification to the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB).
The recommendation for the change was based on recent adjustments using response volunteers and off-duty career firefighters who live within 5 road miles of Fire Station 1-3 on 50 Airport Road.
Approval and the subsequent FPC modification became effective April 1.
In March 2018, residents of the Kala Point geographic area may have experienced an increase in their fire insurance premiums as a result of the re-rating conducted by the WSRB.
If previously impacted, the modification will likely result in having their FPC restored back to its pre-2018 rating.
Other small areas within the 5-mile distance of Station 1-3 have been positively affected by this change as well.
Specifically, insured structures that are within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant, the FPC will be restored to a 5. If they are further than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant, the FPC will be restored to a 6.
To obtain the new FPC, area residents must take the initiative of contacting their insurance provider as this modification will not be initiated by the individual insurance providers unless contacted by the insured the fire district said in a press release.
Washington is one of a handful of states which uses the services of an independent rating service to evaluate communities for their fire protection and suppression capabilities.
Using a schedule approved by the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the rating service assigns each community a protection class, from 1 (exemplary) to 10 (insufficient for insurance credit).
This rating may be used by an insurance company to assist in determining fire insurance premiums for properties.
However, not all insurance companies use the rating to set insurance rates.
Communities are evaluated on a five-year frequency and evaluations include four major areas: fire department, water supply, emergency communications systems and fire safety control.
