Northside Fire rating improves

PONDERAY — Some residents in the Northside Fire District may qualify for a decrease in their insurance premiums thanks to an improved fire rating from the Idaho Survey & Rating Bureau.

The rating improves from a Class 6 to a Class 5 and takes effect on Feb. 1, Northside Fire Chief Brad Mitton said.

The change applies to those living within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant on a rated water system. The affected areas are those serviced by the Oden, Sandpoint and Idaho Club water systems.

Northside recommends that property owners contact their insurance carriers to determine whether they qualify for a discount.

The Idaho Survey & Rating Bureau’s criteria are based on a landowners’ proximity to a fire station, and/or a rated water system, and fire-fighting apparatuses owned by Northside. Each engine must meet pumping requirements set forth by the bureau and Northside has added equipment in outlying fire stations to achieve the rating change.

“This is a great accomplishment for Northside Fire with all the hard work that has gone into decreasing the rating for our residences and businesses. We’ve been working on this for a number of years and it’s rewarding for us to meet this departmental goal,” Mitton said.