Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) is reminding residents that people living in rural areas may be eligible to receive a significant cost reduction in their fire insurance rates.
The cost reduction is due to AFRS using an alternate water supply that improves firefighting services in rural areas, said Fire Chief Don Beer.
Beer said, previously, many of these properties faced high insurance rates because they were located too far from a fire hydrant.
AFRS received accreditation for the process it uses, Superior Tanker Shuttle Service, which involves transporting water in tankers from a source to the fire scene. It is viewed as an equivalent to fire-hydrant protection, Beer said.
He said during a review of the city’s fire insurance rating, Fire Underwriter’s Survey (FUS) officials recognized that AFRS had an “excellent process in place for addressing fires in rural locations.”
“FUS advised us that, if accreditation for this type of alternate water supply could be achieved, local property owners would then be eligible for improved fire insurance rates similar to those with municipal-type water supply systems.”
Beer said AFRS conducted test runs under the observation of FUS officials, and demonstrated that an alternate supply of water could be provided 24 hours a day.
Beer said fire insurance rates are based on several factors, including the distance that a property is located from a fire station or water supply such as a hydrant.
He advised commercial and personal property owners to contact their insurance providers to determine if their properties are located within the improved fire-protection area.