Dear editor,
Re: AAP proposed for Merville fire hall approval (April 28 Record)
A fire hall in the Merville area is much needed primarily to allow for faster response times than are physically possible for a response from Courtenay.
However, that part of the rationale cited in the article that was put forward by Edwin Grieve regarding property insurance savings is not entirely accurate. Typically, there are two conditions that a property owner must meet in order to get a reduction in their property insurance premiums: being within 12 (or 13 km) of a fire hall and being within 500 metres of a fire hydrant.
As it happens, I live near Coleman Road and happen to be just within the magic distance from the main Courtenay fire hall. However, as there are no fire hydrants in the entire area except immediately along Highway 19A, I don’t get the insurance break. There are apparently some insurance companies that are offering the reduced price based on the distance to a fire hall alone, but all I can say is that not all insurance companies are created equal.
So, while the fire hall is much needed, property owners should check with their insurance agent as to whether the proposed fire hall will get them a reduced rate. In most instances, I think they will find it won’t.
Scott Goodman,
Courtenay