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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you figure my Fire Assessment?
The fees for Fire Assessments are currently as follows: $60.00 per parcel for improved lots plus $60.00 per additional residential unit after the first one (ie: House, Mobile Home, hooked up Trailer etc…) plus $15.00 for each outbuilding; $25.00 per parcel for unimproved lots with no roads etc…; $300.00 for improved Commercial and $5.00 per RV or campground space. Each year our Fire Chief inspects each property within the district to see if any new structures have been built or removed to arrive at the fee you see on your property tax bill. If you feel your fee is incorrect or you have a question, contact the District.
Why does my Homeowner’s Insurance seem so much higher here?
Typically, Homeowner’s Insurance Rates are based on a number of factors, just one of them being where your home is located and the risk of loss by fire. A rating is given by an independent company called an ISO Rating. These ratings range from 1 to 10, 1 being best. Some insurance companies will not insure homes with an ISO Rating of 10, which is currently our rating.
How did we get a rating of 10 and how could we bring that number down?
The three things they look at in giving a rating are; Fire Dispatch and alarm systems, the Fire Department itself including staffing and equipment and Water Supply including delivery systems. All of these must meet certain requirements to receive a rating. Our ISO is 6/9. Six is for homes within 5 miles of the Fire Department and 9 for the remainder.
For more information on ISO’s Public Protection Classifications, see their website at http://www.isomitigation.com/ppc/0000/ppc0001.html
Do I need to be a year round resident to Volunteer with the Fire Department?
NO, no, no! While we would love to have more year round volunteers, we appreciate all of the help we can get! It’s important to have as many trained volunteers on hand as possible in the event of a fire. It is also important that each volunteer receive the appropriate training and stay up to date on procedures so hopefully we can attract volunteers who are here on a regular basis or for an extended period each year.
What is Mutual Aid?
Mutual Aid is where Fire Departments within a given geographic area have an agreement with each other to provide Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response either free or for a donation or a set fee, depending upon the agreement. We currently have an Automatic Aid Agreement with the Spalding Volunteer Fire Department and belong to a Countywide Mutual Aid Agreement that includes CDF, USDA Forest Service, BLM and all County Fire Departments.
What is Life Flight and how do I sign up for it?Mountain Life Flight is an Air Ambulance service. They have a nominal membership fee to help reduce the cost of emergency air transportation which. For more information, call 530-257-0249 or see their website at http://www.mountainlifeflight.com/airassociation.html Spalding VFD currently has an ambulance which can be used to transport the injured to the Spalding Airstrip or to the closest transfer point.
Always, in an emergency, dial 911
The fees for Fire Assessments are currently as follows: $60.00 per parcel for improved lots plus $60.00 per additional residential unit after the first one (ie: House, Mobile Home, hooked up Trailer etc…) plus $15.00 for each outbuilding; $25.00 per parcel for unimproved lots with no roads etc…; $300.00 for improved Commercial and $5.00 per RV or campground space. Each year our Fire Chief inspects each property within the district to see if any new structures have been built or removed to arrive at the fee you see on your property tax bill. If you feel your fee is incorrect or you have a question, contact the District.
Why does my Homeowner’s Insurance seem so much higher here?
Typically, Homeowner’s Insurance Rates are based on a number of factors, just one of them being where your home is located and the risk of loss by fire. A rating is given by an independent company called an ISO Rating. These ratings range from 1 to 10, 1 being best. Some insurance companies will not insure homes with an ISO Rating of 10, which is currently our rating.
How did we get a rating of 10 and how could we bring that number down?
The three things they look at in giving a rating are; Fire Dispatch and alarm systems, the Fire Department itself including staffing and equipment and Water Supply including delivery systems. All of these must meet certain requirements to receive a rating. Our ISO is 6/9. Six is for homes within 5 miles of the Fire Department and 9 for the remainder.
For more information on ISO’s Public Protection Classifications, see their website at http://www.isomitigation.com/ppc/0000/ppc0001.html
Do I need to be a year round resident to Volunteer with the Fire Department?
NO, no, no! While we would love to have more year round volunteers, we appreciate all of the help we can get! It’s important to have as many trained volunteers on hand as possible in the event of a fire. It is also important that each volunteer receive the appropriate training and stay up to date on procedures so hopefully we can attract volunteers who are here on a regular basis or for an extended period each year.
What is Mutual Aid?
Mutual Aid is where Fire Departments within a given geographic area have an agreement with each other to provide Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response either free or for a donation or a set fee, depending upon the agreement. We currently have an Automatic Aid Agreement with the Spalding Volunteer Fire Department and belong to a Countywide Mutual Aid Agreement that includes CDF, USDA Forest Service, BLM and all County Fire Departments.
What is Life Flight and how do I sign up for it?Mountain Life Flight is an Air Ambulance service. They have a nominal membership fee to help reduce the cost of emergency air transportation which. For more information, call 530-257-0249 or see their website at http://www.mountainlifeflight.com/airassociation.html Spalding VFD currently has an ambulance which can be used to transport the injured to the Spalding Airstrip or to the closest transfer point.
Always, in an emergency, dial 911
