California: PIFC Joins Support for Wildfire Prevention/Protection Programs

NAMIC's state advocacy partner, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, recently joined a state coalition comprised of the California Fire Safe Councils, California Chamber of Commerce, the California Association of Realtors, and others in support of legislation designed to address the funding of wildfire prevention and protection programs.

Senate Bill 838 will establish a cost-share, community-based wildfire threat reduction and prevention program administered by the California Fire Safe Council, in conjunction with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The program will assist in the implementation of wildfire threat prevention and mitigation programs that relate to fuel reduction projects, fire safe educational programs, and community fire prevention programs.

"The economic, environmental, and public safety impact of wildfires on the state of California is monumental and needs to be continually addressed by the state Legislature. Since the fiscal realities of federal budget constraints are unavoidable, the issue of state funding and cost-sharing associated with fire safety education is an issue of paramount importance to citizens of the state, the business community, and insurance industry," said Christian J. Rataj, NAMIC state affairs manager.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has documented that more than three million acres of land in California have been consumed by fire in the past five years, and that 6,000 homes and structures were destroyed, with 23 fatalities in 2003.

Direct questions to NAMIC State Affairs Manager Christian J. Rataj.

Posted: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 9:01:53 AM.

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We are 1,400 property/casualty insurance companies serving more than 135 million auto, home and business policyholders, with more than $196 billion in premiums accounting for 50 percent of the automobile/homeowners market and 31 percent of the business insurance market. We are the largest and most diverse property/casualty trade association in the country, with regional and local mutual insurance companies on main streets across America joining many of the country’s largest national insurers who also call NAMIC their home. More than 200,000 people are employed by NAMIC members.