April 7, 2021
The Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau recently upgraded the Protection Classification for Island County Fire District 1 – the area served by Camano Island Fire & Rescue – to a 5/6.
Previously, Camano was rated as a 6/7. Properties rated as a 5 must be located within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant. Properties located more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant are rated a 6.
The improved classifications relate to the island’s fire insurance rating, and could potentially reduce insurance rates for local homeowners. Homeowners can contact their insurance provider to see if the upgraded rating reduces their insurance premiums.
“Our insurance rating is a community effort involving our department, our dispatch agency, and the numerous water associations on the island,” Chief Levon Yengoyan said. “We’re pleased that our work to improve our fire protection service may also save our residents money.”
The WSRB rates the fire protection capabilities of all fire departments in the state every six years, and provides a rating from 0 to 10. The lower the rating, the better the fire protection capability. Most fire protection districts in the state are rated between a 4 and an 8.
Many insurance companies use WSRB ratings to help determine residential property coverage rates. Ratings are based on four factors: The fire department itself, fire safety controls, emergency communications and water supply.
Find more information about the WSRB online at www1.wsrb.com, or download and read the full rating upgrade letter.