Whereas the Fire Underwriters Survey requires that in order to receive credit for fire insurance grading purposes, all first line fire apparatus in small and rural communities should be replaced after 20 years of service and may only be extended up to 25 years when fire apparatus is tested and proven to be in excellent mechanical condition; And whereas small and rural local governments often are financially challenged to replace high cost and minimally used fire apparatus on a 20-25 year rotational basis: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province to advocate to the Fire Underwriters Survey to consider providing credit for fire apparatus that is 25 years or older and in sound working condition in order reduce costs to taxpayers.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Province acknowledges the challenges small and rural fire departments have regarding the purchase, maintenance and replacement of fire apparatus. The Community Charter and the Local Government Act allow local governments to determine the level of fire protection services that they feel is best suited to the needs of their constituents. Local governments set service levels and select equipment which Fire Underwriters Survey FUS uses to set ratings and rates. FUS collects information on public fire protection efforts in communities across Canada and works directly with the private sector property and casualty insurers in Canada to set ratings and rates. Part of the overall process is evidence-based and considers the level of fire protection, apparatus, pumping capacity, age of fire apparatus, water supply and many other factors. The Province and the Office of the Fire Commissioner do not have a role in this evidence-based process.