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Commission to inventory apparatus after insurance shortfalls; insurer recommends medical evaluations and station safety improvements
Summary
Following an engine loss and concerns about underinsurance, the commission said it will form a team to inventory apparatus, verify VINs and coverage, and raise the issue with insurers. VFIS recommendations include driver medical evaluations and station safety measures.
Pittsylvania County fire leaders said the county will assemble a committee to inventory apparatus at stations and independent rescue squads after members raised concerns that insurance payouts can fall far short of replacement costs.
Chief Fowler told the commission that replacement insurance can lag the market price for custom apparatus. "Replacement cost is the value of that vehicle at that given time. So at the end of the day, it's a high possibility that somebody that lost an engine could really be in trouble trying to replace it. If you unexpectedly lost $8,900,000 fire truck and you received 300,000 in insurance, you could be in deep trouble," Chief Fowler said, describing why the commission recommended a countywide review.
As a result, association leaders and county staff plan to form a committee to visit stations, verify vehicle identification numbers and values, and confirm that insurance coverage matches current market exposure. Chief Fowler said the review will include roughly 21 stations and independent squads and is expected to take about a month to six weeks to complete.
Insurance procurement also is under review. Director Key reported that purchasing has formed a committee to evaluate insurance proposals; scoring sheets are due and purchasing will tally scores before committee meetings and possible vendor interviews.
The county's insurer for station and volunteer risk, VFIS, provided a separate set of recommendations after recent station visits. Director Key read VFIS's advice that medical evaluations for volunteer drivers be done "yearly or depending upon age," and he warned the commission that the cost of physicals for all volunteers would be substantial. The roster submitted to the county showed more than 700 volunteers; one commissioner estimated roughly $300 per physical if undertaken countywide.
VFIS's other recommendations included vehicle-motor-vehicle-record checks, smoke and heat alarms in stations and towers, documented testing of fire-protection systems, protection of fuel storage tanks, hose securement on apparatus, and routine building maintenance. VFIS letters with site-specific recommendations were attached to the commission packet.
Commissioners said the inventory and insurer evaluation aim to reduce the financial exposure of volunteer agencies, improve safety and provide bargaining points when the county negotiates coverage.
The commission will await the inventory team's report and the insurance evaluation before proposing further policy changes or funding requests to the Board of Supervisors.
