The Anchorage Fire Department announced Friday that parts of the Anchorage Hillside, Eagle River Valley and South Fork that do not feature fire hydrants have been rated by the Insurance Services Office at a level 3. That's a drop from the level 8 of previous years and on par with the rest of the fire service area, where fire hydrants are prevalent.

Chief John Fullenwider said the ability to quickly supply water was a big part of the improved rating.

"This is a monumental event," he said inside Eagle River's Station 11 Friday.

Fullenwider said the goal to lower the rating was identified about five years ago.

He said since that time that department has added stations and updated equipment. Firefighters also have been trying to identify water sources to show they can provide 250 gallons per minute on a constant basis anywhere in the service area.

Officials from the ISO visited Anchorage last year to conduct a drill in which firefighters provided water to several locations. The lower rating took effect Feb. 1.

Station 11's Capt. Bill Miller said one of the biggest challenges in the South Fork and Eagle River Valley areas was identifying water sources. He said prior to the push for the lower rating, the department usually traveled to a fire hydrant in Eagle River to refill.

"The main thing that had to be changed was the method to fill our tenders," said Miller. "We improved our drafting capability with portable pumps."

Capt. Sean Barnett said South Fork residents and members of the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department showed Station 11 staff a place where the South Fork of Eagle River did not freeze, so a year-round drafting site could be identified.

"We can provide 250 gallons per minute for an indefinite period of time," said Miller.

"This is a real measurement of success of the department," said Mayor Mark Begich. "The residents of the Hillside and Eagle River could and should be entitled to lower insurance rates."

Begich said cards would be mailed to the residents who live within the affected area advising them to call their insurance company to alert them to the change. The Municipality said the change could mean a savings of $100 or more per year.

Not everyone in the area will receive a drop in insurance however. Agent Bruce Clarke with Allstate in Eagle River said his company has already been providing the more favorable rate to those in the affected area.

"Allstate had already recognized the area as a 3 rating," he said.

Vicki Harper, a spokeswoman for State Farm, said her company uses zip codes to establish rates using its own fire-loss formula.

However, she said, many companies use ISO ratings and residents should call their insurance company and see if they qualify for a new rating.

ISO spokeswoman Luciana Ramos said many consumers should see lower insurance because of the new rating.

"Insurance companies use (ISO data) to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance, generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection," Ramos said.

Reach the reporter at greg.dart@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, February 17, 2005.