Lacey Fire District 3 outlines Community Risk Reduction plan and proposed business inspection fees

Lacey Fire District 3 presented a plan to expand proactive inspections and investigations across the city, pitching a new Community Risk Reduction (CRR) division as a tool to lower fire risk and, over time, reduce insurance costs for building owners.

Deputy Chief Michael Saroski told the council the CRR division is designed to “provide a workforce that’s focused on the delivery of effective inspection and investigation efforts for the community” and to support improved ratings with the Washington survey and ratings bureau (WSRB). Assistant Chief Jason Roberts summarized a five-year analysis: of roughly 1,500 fires, 13 caused more than $10,000 in damage and the department estimates about $3.8 million in combined structure and contents losses. Roberts said common drivers included absent sprinkler systems, housekeeping and storage issues, and vacant properties.

Staff proposed a size-based fee schedule to fund certified fire inspectors and to allow the district to inspect a greater share of businesses. Key details presented to the council included: a base rate of $65 per hour with $20 increments by complexity tier, inspection every other year for buildings under 3,000 square feet (with an off-year self-attestation option), mandatory annual inspections for occupancies with hood/suppression systems, a half-charge for wholly vacant buildings, and a complimentary first reinspection followed by $75 per hour for additional reinspections. Jason Roberts said the department has identified 907 businesses in the community as part of the schedule design.

Chief Jennifer Schmidt told councilors that 2026 will be focused on outreach and education and that staff do not plan to charge fees during the initial education phase. Roberts said the program is intended to demonstrate regular inspections to rating agencies and to partner with insurers—he noted staff plan to create an insurance-industry consortium and seminars to explain how inspections and reduced risk could affect insurance protection-class ratings and premiums.

Councilors asked about practical inspection scope (staff said inspections focus on common areas in apartment complexes, not individual dwelling units), outreach methods (postcards, social media, chamber engagement), and how the schedule treats vacant property owners. Staff said they will evaluate the fee schedule every three years for inflation and return with implementation details.

The council expressed appreciation for the work and coordination across the city departments; staff will continue outreach and return with any ordinance or implementation proposals.