June 21st Membership Meeting Minutes

Community Safety Planning Meeting

The meeting focused on community safety and insurance issues. Speaker 1 emphasized the need for proactive measures and community involvement. Financial reports highlighted expenses, including $2,755 for parcel mailboxes and $536 for pavilion repainting. The Red Cross and CERT teams discussed their roles in emergency response and the importance of volunteer coordination. Ashley from Farmers Insurance detailed the impact of wildfire maps and insurance company policies, noting that Lincoln County's PPC rating improved from 6 to 4. The discussion also covered the challenges of obtaining insurance in high-risk areas and the importance of firewise certification and community efforts to improve fire safety. The meeting discussed the First Street website, which provides flood, wildfire, hurricane, and heat risk ratings for addresses. The Department of Insurance will launch a similar platform, validated by the Bureau of Land Management. Terrorism coverage is crucial for businesses, but not always included in homeowner's policies. Insurance policies vary significantly among surplus lines carriers. The conversation also covered the impact of wildfire risk on home insurance, the challenges of finding insurance in high-risk areas, and the role of drones in fire management. The discussion highlighted the importance of community efforts and the challenges faced by first responders due to legal risks and lawsuits.

Transcript

https://otter.ai/u/-F3_U_CqilBmE-WmcseQb0H9gQc

Action Items

• [] Volunteer for emergency response efforts

• [] Schedule a hands-only CPR training session for the community

• [] Provide smoke alarm installation and home safety assessments for community members

• [] Follow up on the wildfire preparedness act and potential funding opportunities

• [] Explore the use of technology (e.g., apps, data analysis) to streamline community wildfire preparedness efforts

• [] Investigate options for improving secondary access/egress for the community

• [] Review and consider updating community covenants and guidelines to align with wildfire mitigation best practices

Outline

Community Safety and Involvement

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the need for proactive measures to ensure community safety, incorporating communication and involvement from various agencies like the Office of Emergency Services, fire department, and police department.

• Speaker 1 stresses the importance of community involvement, highlighting that decisions should not be made by a few individuals but by the entire community.

• Speaker 1 mentions a meeting with Santera and a speaker who will discuss insurance companies and their future payments for insurance policies.

• Speaker 1 introduces the importance of sharing information with neighbors and the community to ensure everyone is informed and involved.

Financial Updates and Expenses

• Speaker 3 provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, including the cost of two parcel mailboxes, park expenses, and the repainting of the pavilion.

• Speaker 3 mentions the use of prepaid expenses for legal services, with minimal costs incurred so far.

• Speaker 1 discusses the frequency of slash pickups and the importance of community members removing slash to prevent fuel for fires.

• Speaker 3 explains the challenges in obtaining complete bank statements for a full audit but mentions a reconciliation done for the last two years.

Community Events and Drawings

• Speaker 4 shares updates on a recent yard sale, noting a steady stream of people and positive feedback from the community.

• Speaker 4 mentions the cost of the yard sale and the repainting of the pavilion, which had not been done in 12 years.

• Speaker 4 conducts a drawing for a $25 cash prize, with Cindy winning.

• Speaker 3 discusses the importance of the welcome committee and the inclusion of firewise information in the welcome bags for new residents.

Red Cross and Emergency Preparedness

• Speaker 6 introduces the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and their role in emergency response and recovery, including operating evacuation centers and providing large animal support.

• Speaker 6 mentions the formation of the Community Organizations Active in Nevada (COAD) to support recovery and restoration efforts.

• Speaker 6 emphasizes the need for volunteers and provides contact information for those interested in volunteering.

• Speaker 7 from the Red Cross discusses the importance of hands-only CPR training, smoke alarm installations, and evacuation plans.

Insurance Issues and Community Wildfire Protection

• Speaker 8 from Farmers Insurance explains the impact of the wildfire map on insurance ratings and the importance of community wildfire protection planning (CWPP).

• Speaker 8 discusses the factors insurance companies consider, including PPC ratings, fire line evaluations, and home features like roofing and deck materials.

• Speaker 8 highlights the challenges of obtaining insurance in high wildfire risk areas and the importance of meeting insurance company requirements for home hardening and firewise certification.

• Speaker 8 mentions the potential for new ordinances and codes to address wildfire risks and the importance of community involvement in these efforts.

Governor's Orders and Insurance Cancellations

• Speaker 8 explains the impact of the governor's orders on insurance cancellations and the challenges of obtaining insurance in high wildfire risk areas.

• Speaker 8 discusses the importance of maintaining insurance policies and making payments on time to avoid cancellations.

• Speaker 8 mentions the potential for insurance companies to tighten restrictions and vacate wildfire areas once the governor's orders are lifted.

• Speaker 8 highlights the importance of community efforts to improve fire safety and the potential for new programs and funding to support these efforts.

Community Firewise and Insurance Compliance

• Speaker 8 discusses the importance of community firewise certification and the guidelines provided by the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

• Speaker 8 mentions the potential for new ordinances and codes to address wildfire risks and the importance of community involvement in these efforts.

• Speaker 8 highlights the challenges of obtaining insurance in high wildfire risk areas and the importance of meeting insurance company requirements for home hardening and firewise certification.

• Speaker 8 discusses the potential for new programs and funding to support community firewise efforts and the importance of community involvement in these initiatives.

Insurance Company Policies and Community Support

• Speaker 8 explains the policies of different insurance companies, including the use of replacement cost coverage and the importance of meeting insurance company requirements for home hardening and firewise certification.

• Speaker 8 discusses the challenges of obtaining insurance in high wildfire risk areas and the importance of community efforts to improve fire safety.

• Speaker 8 mentions the potential for new programs and funding to support community firewise efforts and the importance of community involvement in these initiatives.

• Speaker 8 highlights the importance of maintaining insurance policies and making payments on time to avoid cancellations and the potential for new ordinances and codes to address wildfire risks.

Community Involvement and Future Plans

• Speaker 8 emphasizes the importance of community involvement in fire safety efforts and the potential for new programs and funding to support these initiatives.

• Speaker 8 discusses the challenges of obtaining insurance in high wildfire risk areas and the importance of meeting insurance company requirements for home hardening and firewise certification.

• Speaker 8 mentions the potential for new ordinances and codes to address wildfire risks and the importance of community involvement in these efforts.

• Speaker 8 highlights the importance of maintaining insurance policies and making payments on time to avoid cancellations and the potential for new programs and funding to support community firewise efforts.

First Street Website Overview

• Speaker 8 introduces the First Street website, which provides flood, wildfire, hurricane, and heat risk ratings for specific addresses.

• The website allows users to input their home address to receive detailed risk ratings.

• Speaker 8 explains that the Department of Insurance will launch a similar data platform, validated by the Bureau of Land Management.

• Abigail is part of the team ensuring the data's accuracy on a state level.

Insurance Implications of Global Events

• Speaker 5 asks about the impact of global military events and terrorism on insurance.

• Speaker 8 explains that terrorism coverage is included in most homeowner's policies, but surplus lines carriers may not offer it.

• Businesses are particularly affected by terrorism coverage, as it is not covered unless explicitly added.

• The variability in insurance policies among surplus lines carriers is highlighted, with some excluding certain risks.

Impact of Wildfire Risk on Home Insurance

• Speaker 3 inquires about replacing wood fences with metal fences to improve insurance ratings.

• Speaker 8 explains that the area needs to be reevaluated by ISO before such changes can be considered.

• The importance of proper flashing between decks and houses is discussed, with an example of a cancellation due to lack of flashing.

• Speaker 8 mentions that insurance companies often look for reasons to cancel policies in high-risk areas.

Fire Line Ratings and Insurance

• Speaker 1 asks about fire line ratings and their application to specific addresses.

• Speaker 8 explains that fire line ratings are based on the steepness and accessibility of the area, with higher ratings indicating higher risk.

• Insurance companies often avoid areas with fire line ratings over four, as they are considered high risk.

• Speaker 8 shares an example of selling a home in a high-risk area, highlighting the challenges in finding insurance.

Challenges in Firefighting and Volunteer Recruitment

• Speaker 8 discusses the decline in volunteer firefighters and police officers due to increased legal risks and lawsuits.

• The impact of recent changes in liability laws on professional risk-taking is highlighted.

• Speaker 8 mentions the use of drones by power companies to manage red flag conditions and control lines.

• The village's use of drones to survey areas in need of focus is noted as a positive step.

Community Efforts and Long-Term Recovery

• Speaker 8 talks about the importance of community efforts in fire prevention and long-term recovery.

• The role of the COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) in organizing events and recognizing efforts is discussed.

• Speaker 8 emphasizes the need for continued work to prevent fires and improve community resilience.

• The importance of spiritual and emotional support for those affected by disasters is highlighted.

Insurance Claims and Fraud

• Speaker 8 addresses rumors about arson and its impact on insurance claims.

• The governor's order waiving deductibles for wildfire claims is explained, aiming to combat fraud and support affected individuals.

• Speaker 8 shares examples of fraudulent claims and the legal actions taken against insurance companies.

• The challenges faced by insurance agents during evacuations and the need for better processes are discussed.

Impact of Previous Wildfires on Insurance and Recovery

• Speaker 8 compares the responses to the current wildfire with previous events like McBride.

• The lack of a governor's order waiving deductibles for McBride is noted, contrasting with the current situation.

• The impact of material shortages on rebuilding efforts is highlighted, with some people waiting months for supplies.

• Speaker 8 mentions the fraudulent claims made during the McBride recovery and the legal actions taken against offenders.

Community Support and Volunteerism

• Speaker 8 discusses the role of volunteers in supporting evacuation centers and shelters.

• The challenges of finding people during evacuations, especially those without cell phones or chargers, are mentioned.

• The importance of community support and volunteer efforts in disaster recovery is emphasized.

• Speaker 8 offers to provide a PowerPoint presentation and contact information for further assistance.

Bitcoin Investment and Final Questions

• Speaker 5 asks about the board's comments on Bitcoin as an investment.

• The discussion briefly touches on the potential of Bitcoin as a financial asset.

• The meeting concludes with a reminder of the importance of community support and preparedness for future disasters.