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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 12, 2005 City’s fire insurance rating at risk By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Medford’s fire insurance rating is in jeopardy of dropping because of too few firefighters, a drop that could increase property owners’ insurance premiums. An evaluation by Insurance Services Office Inc. in July found the city’s fire department lacking in response capability for a town of its size. It was given three months to indicate a remedy or the fire insurance classification will drop one level, from a three to a four. "They (ISO representatives) come in every 10 years and they rate communities," said Fire Chief Dave Bierwiler. "They allow us 18 months," he said. "There’s no need for anybody to panic." Bierwiler explained the assessed property value in the city of Medford rose 166 percent, from $1.5 billion in 1990 to $4 billion in 2004. Within that time, however, staffing increased only 5.7 percent, from 70 to 74 firefighters and staff. Advertisement Bierwiler said ISO indicated such a rate change could drive up insurance costs as much as 10 or 15 percent for industrial and commercial insurance. The change probably would not affect insurance rates for residential property, he said. "Our plan is to brief the (Medford City) Council and the council will be able to take a look at alternatives," said Bierwiler. Among the alternatives is adding another company, made up of 11 firefighters, bringing Medford up to six companies, he said. According to an Aug. 31 letter from field representative Derrick A. Thomas to Mike Dyal, city manager, the primary reason for a new classification is "a reduction in credit for ladder response due to the lack of a ladder company responding on all first alarms in structure fires." The letter said the classification change will not happen immediately, but could result in changes in insurance premium calculations for many properties within the city, primarily commercial properties. ISO supplies risk-management data for insurance companies, financial organizations, real estate agencies, health services, government and human resources. Chris Guidette, assistant vice president of corporate communications with ISO in New Jersey, said Medford officials have until December to contact ISO and tell them what they’re doing. He said ISO ratings are among the criteria insurance companies use in underwriting insurance policies. He said the range is from one to 10, one being the best. "The better classifications — one, two and three — are most companies’ preference for fire insurance," said Guidette. "A four’s a pretty good grade. It’s not like the town’s fire department is seriously diminished or unresponsive." The cities of Salem and Hillsboro are each rated class two and Gresham is rated class three. Cherryl Smith, sales representative with Allstate Insurance, said her office had not heard about any change, and policy holders wouldn’t necessarily see a increase in costs. "From a three to a four’s not a big deal," she said. "If you went to a 9 or 10 it would be a big deal." Jeff Aeschliman, public affairs specialist with State Farm Insurance in Salem, said State Farm has not relied on the ISO rating since 2000, but a one-point jump wouldn’t make a big difference for insurance premiums. Guidette also said it was not drastic. "It’s a warning light and it’s an opportunity for the town to upgrade the various facets of their fire suppression capability," said Guidette. Unrelated to the ISO rating, the fire department is seeing an increase in calls exceeding its staffing capabilities and will pitch some options to the Medford City Council, including lowering its level of service. The meeting is scheduled for noon Oct. 27 in Room 151, Lausmann Annex, 200 S. Ivy St., Medford. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail City�s fire insurance rating at risk ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s