Kamiah Fire Department’s New Rating Promises Lower Insurance Costs
The Kamiah City Council received encouraging news during a special meeting on September 29, 2023, as Fire Chief Billy Monahan announced that the city’s fire rating has improved from a “5” to a “3.” This change, which reflects better fire service and readiness, could lead to reduced insurance premiums for property owners. Monahan noted that some residents might see a savings of up to $100 on their home insurance policies.
The revised rating, determined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), will be officially communicated to insurance companies by December 1, 2023. Monahan advised residents to contact their insurers if they do not observe changes by January.
Improvements and Personnel Changes
Monahan attributed the improved rating to several key factors, including the hiring of adequate personnel to maintain 24/7 coverage, which has reduced response times to under two minutes. He also highlighted the increased number of personnel responding to structure fires and emphasized the team’s commitment to rigorous training in live fire scenarios and hazardous materials awareness.
In addition to the city’s rating, the fire district rating also improved from “6” to “5.” Monahan pointed out that the last evaluation conducted in 2017 reflected a volunteer fire department, indicating significant progress since then.
During the meeting, Monahan congratulated Robert Bragdon on his new position at the Donnelly Fire Department, thanking him for his contributions to the Kamiah station. The council and attendees acknowledged Bragdon’s hard work with applause. Monahan then introduced Carter Parsons, a graduate from Lewis and Clark Community College and a trained emergency medical technician (EMT), who will take over Bragdon’s role as lieutenant at the Kamiah station. Additionally, Ed Studtmann was welcomed as the new fire department chaplain.
Infrastructure and Financial Reports
In other council business, public works supervisor Stu Bryant reported on ongoing issues with water leaks, stating that the city has faced four significant leaks in the past month. Bryant noted that restoring the filters to their optimal condition is essential and indicated that new media for the filters could cost between $300,000 and $400,000, highlighting the need for financing.
Mayor Dale Schneider requested an update from Mike Tornatore regarding the sewer and water study being conducted by Idaho Grow Water. Tornatore confirmed that the study is progressing and will assess the city’s financial readiness for potential loans and grants from the USDA Rural Development agency.
Schneider recognized the necessity for updated financial assessments, noting that the last study was conducted over a decade ago. He proposed a local option tax to help address rising inflation and improve financial stability for Kamiah, suggesting a 1% option tax that would apply to residents and visitors alike.
The council is exploring this option further, with Schneider reaching out to officials in Cascade, Idaho, for guidance on implementation.
Finally, Schneider addressed amendments to the 2005 International Building Code exemptions, emphasizing the need for flexibility in local governance. He provided a list of proposed exemptions for council members to review and suggest modifications.
In a follow-up to the proposed animal facility mentioned in a previous council meeting, Schneider reported that discussions with a contractor have begun, with expectations of project completion by early 2024.
This meeting reflected significant advancements in both fire safety and city infrastructure, setting a positive trajectory for Kamiah’s future.
