THOUSAND OAKS — Property owners in the jurisdiction of the Ventura County Fire Department could see lower insurance rates thanks to recognition as a Fire Risk Reduction Community by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fire department, which officially operates as the Ventura County Fire Protection District, was one of 50 agencies, counties and cities across the state that qualified for the designation, recognizing best practices in fire risk planning. The designation takes effect today and lasts for two years.
“The threat of wildfire in Ventura County is always present,” Ventura County Fire Marshal Joe Morelli said. “We work year-round to help our residents and businesses reduce their fire risk. This designation recognizes a partnership in fire safety with our community.”
Being on that list is one of two community-level fire mitigation measures insurance companies must consider when setting rates. The other is the National Fire Prevention Association’s designation as a Firewise USA community.
Fourteen communities within Ventura County have qualified for Firewise USA status.
The fire department’s recognition covers all properties within its jurisdiction, including all of Ventura County except the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Fillmore.
In addition to helping to hold down insurance rates, the Fire Risk Reduction Community designation gives the fire department and other agencies within our jurisdiction priority on state fire reduction grants.