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Fire chief pitches Tanglewood station to lower local insurance rates; county hears AMR monthly report and siren grant update
Summary
The rural fire chief recommended examining the feasibility of placing a staffed engine at Tanglewood to improve ISO ratings and reduce residents' insurance costs. County also received AMR call totals and an update that staff submitted a federal grant application to replace and add storm sirens.
Randy Hegweld, representing Linn County Rural Fire and Emergency, asked the commission to study the costs and staffing implications of placing a staffed engine in the Tanglewood area to close a coverage gap that affects the county—————————'s Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings.
Hegweld said parts of the county that fall within five miles of a station receive a favorable ISO score, while areas outside that radius are graded higher (less favorable). "We have a big void right in the middle of the county...anything within 5 miles of the station is a 5 on ISO. Anything outside that's a 10," he said. Hegweld suggested leasing space in a new Tanglewood building and using either a rehabilitated engine from the county—————————'s fleet or repurposing an engine for that location, and encouraged local recruitment for volunteers.
Les Warner, president of the Tanglewood Homeowner Association, spoke during public comment in favor of the idea: "We are in super big support for that. We're gonna do everything we can to help find volunteer firemen, and I think we're gonna have a space for our truck, a pumper, if that's the case."
Separately, Don Brooks of AMR presented a monthly call report for early December with the countywide total of 61 calls and 31 transports across named communities (Blue Mound, Centerville, Greeley, LaSine, Lynn Valley, Mound City, Parker, Pleasanton, Prescott).
Hegweld also told commissioners he submitted paperwork for a federal grant intended to replace or add storm sirens in areas with inadequate coverage. He said targeted communities for improved siren coverage include Sugar Valley, Tanglewood and Lane County Park and that the process may be lengthy.
Commissioners asked staff to consider the financial costs and benefits, possible leased space and staffing arrangements, and the potential impact on residents' insurance rates. No formal vote was taken; Hegweld said he would pursue a plan and return with cost estimates and options for recruitment and facilities.
Ending: Staff will review the feasibility of locating a staffed engine at Tanglewood, including lease options, staffing/recruitment prospects and the potential return in lower ISO/insurance ratings; staff will report back with cost estimates.
