Local hydrants to be tested for insurance evaluation

SUMMIT COUNTY — A national inspection agency this week will evaluate the firefighting resources of the Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue, which may affect home-insurance premiums.

The inspection by the Insurance Service Office will assess communication, fire-department operations and water-department operations.

The inspection is scheduled to run through Oct. 1. Although most activities will not affect residents, hydrant testing will mean releasing water into ditches or streets.
“From examining fire operations, training records, water delivery, storage and supply capabilities to 9-1-1 communications, preparing for an ISO inspection is a very significant and intensive effort,” Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Parmley said.
Inspections are conducted every eight to 10 years, and a drop or increase in the rating directly affects insurance premiums, depending on the size and value of the home.

Lake Dillon’s last inspection took place in 1999, and the department received a weak rating, typical for communities “where limited resources must be applied over a broad area to meet a number of threats such as structure and wild land fires,” Parmley said
But since its last inspection, Lake Dillon has made significant improvements in response time due to expanded staffing and two new engines.

“These days, it’s not so much about a checklist approach, because fire departments have to respond to all kinds of situations,” Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue spokesman Brandon Williams said. “We are anxious to see how the survey approaches the ‘Swiss Army knife’ type of resources we provide.”

Preliminary results for the evaluation should be provided shortly after the inspection is completed, but it could be several weeks before reports show whether the new rating with affect home-insurance premiums.