For many residents of Centre Wellington, the Centre Wellington Fire Department’s recent recertification of its “Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation” could mean potentially lower insurance rates.
The item came up briefly during the Nov. 18 Centre Wellington council meeting as council spoke with the department’s public safety officer Tom Mulvey.
“We’re out in front getting that done and we passed with flying colours,” offered Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj.
Mulvey said that one of the things the fire departments can do to improve its ratings in regards to insurance is commit to the Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Accreditation.
He said, “the department has to pick a location eight kilometres away from a fire hall and five kilometres away from a water source. Within five minutes of stopping your truck, you begin pumping 500 gallons per minute … and you have to be able to do that for two hours without stopping.”
He said that means the fire tanker shuttles must be able to move five kilometres refill, dump, come back out and never stop pumping the 200 gallons per minute.
Mulvey said the test happened on Nov. 2. He said department members were moving fast enough that midway through the test, there were tankers waiting.
“It went very well.”
He said because of the rating, “people who live more than 1,000 feet from a hydrant and less than eight kilometres from a fire station can (potentially) get a break in their insurance – a substantial break.”
Mulvey noted that not all community fire departments choose to take part in such tests.
“It was a great effort made by everybody involved.”
Mulvey stressed that the eight kilometres is measured by road distance, “not as the crow flies.”
Councillor Kirk McElwain asked whether insurance companies automatically get this information or whether it was up to the homeowner.
Mulvey said “We advertise this every chance we get. Not all insurance companies ask the question, and some companies in the city don’t even really know what it is.” He agreed the information should be advertised to provide as much use as it can.
Councillor Mary Lloyd suggested creating something which could be provided to local realtors for potential home buyers.
