HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-16-2012 - 4a
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:October 16, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No.4-a
SUBJECT:
Resolution of Recognition for Volunteer Fire Departments in Orange County for
Reducing Homeowners’ Fire Insurance Costs
No
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)
BOCC
ATTACHMENT(S):INFORMATION CONTACT:
ResolutionCommissioner Earl McKee
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board, 245-
2130
PURPOSE:
To consider adopting a resolution to recognize the Volunteer Fire Departments in
Orange County for their diligent efforts in reducing homeowners’ fire insurance costs.
BACKGROUND:
Fire insurance for homeowners and businesses is impacted by the
capabilities of thelocalfire department covering the structures, including the distance from the
fire station. In recent years, insurance companies have used new mapping technology to
determine a more exact distance from a fire station to an insured structure causing a rise in
premiums for some homeowners.Byaggressively working to reduce fire insurance costs for
home and property owners by improving Insurance ServicesOffice (ISO) ratings and/or building
new stations to cover structures that were previously beyond six (6) miles from astation, local
fire departments have made a huge impact in loweringthefire insurance costs that
homeowners in Orange County pay.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with considering the resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S):
The Manager recommends the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution.
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RES-2012-088
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTSIN
ORANGE COUNTY FOR
REDUCING HOMEOWNERS’ FIRE INSURANCE COSTS
WHEREAS
, fire insurance for homeowners and businesses is impacted by the capabilities
of the local fire department covering the structures, including the distance from
the fire station; and
WHEREAS
,in recent years, insurance companies have used new mapping technology to
determine a more exact distance from a fire station to an insured structure
causing a rise in premiums for some homeowners; and
WHEREAS
, insurance premiums for both residential and commercial structures can be
impacted by multiple variables, including the ISO (Insurance Services Office)
rating of the primary fire department covering a home or business; and
WHEREAS
, many fire departments in Orange County have aggressively worked to reduce
fire insurance costs for home and property owners by improving ISO ratings
and/or building new stations to cover structures that were previously beyond
six (6) milesfrom a station; and
WHEREAS
, theISOinspection, conducted by officials with the North Carolina Department
of Insurance, Office of State FireMarshal, looksfor proper documentation
and/or demonstration for staffing levels, sufficient firefighting equipment,
proper maintenance of equipment, 9-1-1 communications capabilities and
availability of water sources; and
WHEREAS,
fire departments, through mutual aid agreements, assist each other, including
working together to demonstrate water haul capabilities during ISO evaluation;
and
WHEREAS
,Orange County is covered by 12 fire departments – Efland, Eno, New Hope,
Orange Grove, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, and White Cross fire departments
cover rural districts;Orange Rural (Hillsborough), Chapel Hill and Carrboro fire
departments cover municipal and rural areas;and Mebane and North
Chatham fire departments are located outside of Orange County, but cover
areas within Orange County;
NOW, THEREFORE
, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does
hereby acknowledge the support Orange County fire departments have
displayed in reducing insurance expenses for property owners in Orange
County.
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This the 16day of October 2012.
__________________________________
Bernadette Pelissier,Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners