On Monday, June 4, 2018, Pitt County Emergency Management (PCEM), along with Bell Arthur Fire Chief Virgil O’Neil, were both notified by the North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), that a completed evaluation of the fire insurance classification for Bell Arthur Fire District had resulted in a new Protection Class Rating of 5/9E.
The new rate will take effect on Saturday, September 1, 2018, and is a significant advancement from the former Class 7/9E rating; which will result in an advisement from OSFM to change rates on dwellings (including those insured under Homeowners Policies) within the district, which are established by the North Carolina Rate Bureau.
Understanding this rating. Class 5 applies to properties with a fire flow of 3,500 gallons per minute (gpm). Class 9E applies to all other properties within the fire district outside of the 5 miles, but no more than 6 miles. The private and public protection at properties with larger needed fire flows are individually evaluated, and may vary from the 5/9E Classification.
This new rating has brought congratulations from both OSFM and PCEM. “I commend you and your department for your dedication and commitment to making your community a safer place to live” wrote Mike Causey, Insurance Commissioner, State Fire Marshal, writing to Chief O’Neil. Similarly, Pitt County Emergency Management Director Allen Everette echoed the sentiment in saying “congratulations on a job well done. The community can be proud of the tireless efforts of the leadership and membership they display on a daily basis in maintaining a state of readiness”.
North Carolina state law requires inspections by OSFM officials for departments serving districts of 100,000 people or less. This includes all 22 of the fire districts within Pitt County. A full listing of these departments can be found on the Pitt County website at www.pittcountync.gov/FireDepartments. To learn more about the Bell Arthur Fire District or their efforts within their community, contact them at 252-752-8100