Semiahmoo insurance rates back to normal

By Rebecca Schwarz Kopf

The Semiahmoo fire station has once again been officially recognized by the Washington Surveying and Ratings Bureau (WSRB).

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Service division chief Jim Rutherford and Blaine police chief Mike Haslip met with the WSRB staff in January, acting on the concerns of some Semiahmoo area residents who had heard that their insurance premiums might increase because of an adverse rating by the WSRB.

The poor rating, (a “10” on the Insurance Service Organization’s schedule), was based on new methods used by WSRB to determine the exact distance of each property from the nearest recognized fire station.

Some Semiahmoo properties were over five miles driving distance from the two recognized stations, Blaine’s station 10 and Birch Bay station 7.

In a letter received Monday by Blaine city officials, the WSRB stated it would restore Semiahmoo’s fire insurance rating to a six after changes were made at the Semiahmoo fire station.

“We’ve made some changes to meet requirements,” Rutherford said, including the reassignment of volunteers, moving a new fire engine there and reconnecting the station to the local 911 dispatch system.

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