Media Contact: Ron Williams
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Sierra Vista, AZ, (December 16, 2011) – More than 20 Southeastern Arizona fire officials joined 30 federal and state forestry officials and insurance representatives in an “Arizona Wildfire Forum” in Sierra Vista, AZ on December 16th, 2011. The forum briefed area officials on the 2011 wildfires in Arizona and provided education on community protection going forward.

Fire department and district officials from Benson, Elfirda, Elgin, Fry, Nogalas, Northwest, Mt. Lemmon, Rio Rico, Palominas, Sierra Vista, Sonita, Tri City, Tubac and officials from Cochise and Yavapai counties attended the forum.

“These wildfire forums provide all concerned with lessons learned from Arizona’s wildfires in 2011, the largest in the state’s history,” said Arizona State Forester, Scott Hunt. “Fortunately, there were forest treatment techniques, fire suppression advances, and community protection strategies that benefited some communities.”

Co-hosting the forum with State Forester Hunt and the Arizona State Forestry Division was the Arizona Insurance Council, the Arizona Forest Health Council, US Forest Service and the Western Governors’ Association. Farmers Insurance sponsored the wildfire educational event. Materials were also provided from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and the International Code Council (ICC).

“The property and casualty insurance industry in Arizona encourages local communities and citizens to educate themselves on wildfire protection strategies,” said Ron Williams, executive director of the Arizona Insurance Council (AIC). “With the trend of higher intensity and larger wildfires, every community should take action steps to reduce future property losses.”

Topics addressed at the Sierra Vista, Arizona Wildfire Forum included:

•        Forest treatments in Arizona that reduced 2011 wildfire fuels and intensity
•        Importance and benefits of community wildfire protection plans (CWPP)
•        Potential state and federal grants available for CWPP revisions or initiation
•        Firewise Community USA Program
•        Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Codes
•        Arizona Fire Chief’s Association “Ready, Set & Go!” Program

The property and casualty insurers of Arizona, represented by AIC, encourage business and home owners to take steps to protect their property by thoroughly reviewing their insurance policies. An annual insurance policy check-up is essential. Home and business owners should contact their agent or insurance company to make certain they have the proper level of coverage.

Key points to go over with your insurance company or agent include:

• Does the policy cover the current costs of rebuilding your house or business? The increases in cost for lumber, steel, concrete and copper have significantly outpaced other products. Those price increases affect what insurers pay to repair and rebuild homes and the costs of satisfying those claims is shared by all insurance consumers.
• Does your policy provide coverage for additional living expenses, such as hotel bills and restaurant meals for the time you are evacuated from your home and/or while your home is being rebuilt?
• Is your insurance company or agent aware of any improvements you have made on your home or business? Updating a kitchen, new carpeting or installing a swimming pool adds to the value of your home. The same applies to business improvements.
• Have you upgraded your home electrical system or plumbing system, or installed anti-theft alarms or fire sprinklers? These improvements could help reduce your insurance premium, depending on your insurance company’s business practices.

These and other insurance tips are available at AIC’s website at www.azinsurance.org.

The Arizona Insurance Council is a non-profit organization supported by member companies in the property-casualty insurance business.

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