Insurance Commissioner Lara Visits Orinda
The first words from Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s May 31 visit were, “Orinda is a model for the state. The Orinda Firewise Council is a powerful example of how neighbors can work together to be safer from wildfires,” referring to transforming the town into a wildfire adapted community.
Lara travels around the state to “focus on people doing good work.” He met with local folks who have been in the vanguard of these changes. Attending were Mayor Inga Miller, Moraga Orinda Fire Department (MOFD) Fire Marshal Jeff Isaacs, MOFD Board member Craig Jorgens, Orinda Firewise Council Chair Marc Evans and Leader Sue Wecht, United Policyholders Program Specialist Joel Laucher and City Chipper program representatives Micki Cronin and Will Thorn.
The group met on Red Coach Lane where two residents hired goats to clear grasses and brush. The Commissioner learned how community members developed Firewise groups and then partnered with the City and MOFD. Were it not for the leadership of MOFD Chief Winnacker, and his neighborhood talks, none of our stellar work would have developed.
Of particular interest to the Commissioner were the Fire Adapted Community Ambassador assessments, so powerful as it is a peer-to-peer experience with no threat of a citation and how streets and Firewise groups organize the chipper usage together. The Commissioner thinks the state could benefit from Orinda’s requirement for homes to be in fire code compliance for all real estate transactions.
He was also struck by the enormous citizen engagement through the Orinda Firewise Council and the Firewise groups. The bottom line is that the excess fuel must be removed and residents are the ones to do it.
Lara’s department is working hard to meet the challenge of increased disasters due to climate change.
“While there is no doubt climate change is contributing to more extreme wildfire behavior, we can do something about it,” said Lara. “Under my new Safer from Wildfires regulation, residents in Firewise communities are able to receive an insurance discount.” He said the best way is to encourage insurance companies to move from an adversarial position to that of an ally because in the long run, it is more cost effective and will keep people safer.
One idea is to establish Climate Resilient Communities which will be eligible for funding to address mitigation for climate change risks like wildfire and flooding. Lara co-sponsored SB852 with Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, which was signed into law last September. This creates a path for local government and public and private funders to work together to mitigate dangerous conditions. Over time, fewer homes will be lost and the cost of insurance should stabilize.
“When everyone does their part to bring down the risk to our homes and businesses, it helps my efforts to expand insurance options for everyone in our state,” said Lara.
According to Deputy Insurance Commissioner Michael Soller, the Department of Insurance has several tools to help consumers shop for insurance, including links at http://www.insurance.ca.gov for Tips for Finding Residential Insurance and Insurance Finder, a tool to locate local agents. Contact the consumer hotline at 800.927.4357.
Orinda may be a model for wildfire mitigation, a phenomenal feat in a three-year span, but according to Evans, only 30% of homes are in Firewise groups with defensible spaces and hardened homes. Keep at it, Orinda!
Melanie Light can be reached at melanie@melanielight.com.
