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Home My WebLink AboutCAO 18-11 Report To Executive Committee DICKERING Report Number: CAO 18-11 Date: November 14, 2011 From: Tony Prevedel Chief Administrative Officer Subject: Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) - File: A-1440-001-11 Recommendation: That Council receive the Fire Underwriters Survey report for information. Executive Summary: In April 2010, Fire Services staff met with a Fire Protection Specialist of SCM Risk Management Services Inc. to evaluate a request to initiate a Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) Program. This organization provides data on public fire protection for fire insurance statistical work, and underwriting to most of the member companies of the Insurance Board of Canada. It also advises municipalities on deficiencies in fire defenses, and recommends improvement. Surveys are usually conducted every 10 years. The last 2 surveys were completed in 2001 and 1992. The 2011 survey was completed in July 2011. The final FUS report indicated that the Public Fire Protection Classification had been improved in hydrant protected areas. Dwelling Protection Grade for Station #4 in Claremont has improved as well. For the City of Pickering fire stations, the Public Fire Protection Classification (PFPC) has been improved in hydrant protected areas and rating has improved from a Grade 5 to a Grade 4. The Dwelling Protection Grade (DPG) for Station #4 has improved from a Grade 4 to a Grade 3B due to our City's decision to staff full-time firefighters in Claremont. Financial Implications: Not applicable Sustainability Implications: Not applicable Report CAO 18-11 November 14, 2011 Subject: Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) Page 2 Background: FUS conducted an assessment of each Fire Services response area, primarily for fire insurance grading and classification purposes. The areas that were assessed included: • Water Supply and Distribution Assessment • Fire Apparatus Information • Fire Equipment Information • Fire Prevention & Public Education Assessment • Fire Training Assessment • Emergency Communications The Public Fire Protection Classification (PFPC) is a numerical grading system scaled from 1 to 10, with Grade 1 representing the highest grading possible and Grade 10 indicates the lowest grading possible. This grading evaluates the ability of the City's Fire. Services to prevent and control major fires in: a) multi-family residential b) commercial, industrial and institutional buildings c) construction development The Dwelling Protection Grade (DPG) assesses the protection available for small buildings such as single-family dwellings. The DPG rating system is scaled from 1 to 5 with one the highest grading and five the lowest grade. The grading reflects the ability of a community to handle fires in small buildings. Public Fire Protection Classification U dates Sub District(s) and (contracts PFPC PFPC Comments protection area Previous 2011 Hydrant Protected - Commercial Lines insured properties within 150 m of a fire hydrant and Fire Station 2 5 4 within 5 road km of Fire Station 2 Fire Hall Protected - Commercial Lines insured properties within 5 km of Fire Station 4, but not Fire Station 4 9 9 within 150 m of a fire hydrant Hydrant Protected = Commercial Lines insured properties within 150 m of a fire hydrant and Fire Station 5 5 4 within 5 road km of Fire Station 5 Hydrant Protected - Commercial Lines insured properties within 150 m of a fire hydrant and Fire Station 6 5 4 within 5 road km of Fire Station 2 Unprotected Commercial Lines insured Rest of the City 10 10 properties further than 5 km b road of a fire hall CORP0227-07/01 revised Report CAO 18-11 November 14, 2011 Subject: Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) Page 3 82 Dwelling Protection Grade U dates Sub District(s) and (contracts PFPC PFPC Comments protection area Previous 2011 Fire Station 2 1 1 Hydrant Protected - Personal Lines insured Urban area . properties within 300 m of a fire hydrant and response within 8 road km of Fire Station 2 Fire Station 2 3B 3B Fire Hall Protected - Personal Lines insured Rural area properties within 8 km of Fire Station 2, but not response within 300 m of a fire hydrant. Fire Station 4 4 3B Fire Hall Protected - Personal Lines insured properties within 8 km of Fire Station 4, but not within 300 m of a fire hydrant. Fire Station 5 1 1 Hydrant Protected - Personal Lines insured Urban area properties within 300 m of a fire hydrant and response within 8 road km of Fire Station 5 Fire Station 5 4 4 Fire Hall Protected - Personal Lines insured Rural area properties within 8 km of Fire Station 5, but not response within 300 m of a fire hydrant. Fire Station 6 1 1 Hydrant Protected - Personal Lines insured Urban area properties within 300 m of a fire hydrant and response within 8 road km of Fire Station 6 Fire Station 6 4 4 Fire Hall Protected - Personal Lines insured Rural area properties within 8 km of Fire Station 6, but not response within 300 m of a fire hydrant. Fire grades affect homeowners' insurance premiums, but there are other key factors that affect insurance premiums such as: • location of home • owner occupied, rental or vacant • seasonal or secondary home • value of dwelling • type of coverage • age of dwelling • alarm systems • use of dwelling - rental/business • claims history • age of Insured • multi-line discount Therefore it is very difficult to determine what the premium costs for individual business or residents would be. That is decided upon by the individual insurance companies. CORP0227-07/01 revised Report CAO 18-11 November 14, 2011 ect: Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) Page 4 Fire Services is pleased with the improved grades, obtained from the finalization of the FUS report. Fire Services is currently assessing the Superior Tanker Shuttle Accreditation. This accreditation would only be applicable to fire stations that are currently graded 3B. Fire Underwriters and Pickering Fire Services are currently determining which areas could be affected positively by such accreditation in our rural areas. Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: William T. Douglas Tony Prevedel, P. Eng. Fire Chief Chief Administrative Officer WTD:nrm Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering Cit Council Q5~ Tony Prevedel, P. Eng. Chief Administrative Officer CORP0227-07/01 revised