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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2022 27 The Firewise USA Program Insurance companies have declared war on Four Seasons residents by dropping their homeowners insurance because of our proximity to potential wildfire areas. This has been increasing the past few years because of the damage caused by wildfires around the state. They have decided to reduce or eliminate claims for lost or damaged structures by refusing to renew residents' homeowners insurance. The insurance companies have drawn their own maps to designate the areas where they do not want to pay claims. In an attempt to mitigate some of the rising costs of insurance, our HOA Board has asked the Emergency Preparedness Committee to research the Firewise USA Program. This program provides a collaborative framework for neighbors to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. Firewise will empower residents with a plan and actions that can increase their home's chances of surviving a wildfire and also making it safer for firefighters. Residents were told that they could save money on their homeowner's insurance if they were designated as a Firewise community. The Firewise USA program is based on community involvement. The implementation of the program may take the coordination of half a dozen committees and interest groups. EPC will need help from the Architectural Review Committee, the Finance Committee, the Landscape Committee and a boost from the Neighborhood Watch. I have listed below the six steps to achieving Firewise National recognition: 1. Wildfire Risk Assessment 2. Establish a Board or Committee 3. Create an Action Plan 4. Participate in Educational Outreach 5. Verify our Wildfire Risk Reduction Investment 6. Submit the Application Please watch for an announcement of a Neighborhood Watch or Town Hall meeting to discuss this subject. The EPC Committee meets on the third Tuesday of the month. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 10 am in the RCN Conference Room. ~ Michael A. Mendoza, srmendoza@verizon.net (Sections of this article were taken from the Firewise application itself that I received from the state fire marshal with some alterations to fit our community.) Emergency Preparedness Committee The monthly Breeze articles by ARC are intended to provide general guidance and address current issues. Experience has shown that many issues are never addressed or seen. This can change almost overnight when a vendor installs a cool item or misleads owners that their product is necessary. For example, ARC rarely saw applications for front door glass inserts or security screens until a few were installed and other homeowners saw them and liked the look. Applications exploded and have remained steady for several months. ARC has received several applications wanting to install alarm systems and window bars. ARC has discussed these items while considering both state and local laws as well as the ARC Guidelines. An application is required for any installation of an alarm if any equipment is mounted outside the house. (Ring doorbells are an exception.) All alarm systems require a city permit as well. ARC is currently receiving several applications for installation of artificial grass. While ARC approval is required, there is no city permit required. Architectural Guidelines and Standards establish the minimum requirements for installation when artificial grass is installed in front yards. These guidelines help ensure that the artificial grass will last and look good for as long as possible. (Copies of guidelines are available online at www.fourseasonsbeaumont.org or can be picked up at the management office.) Want to see the newest item that blooms in our community? Consider joining ARC. We are always looking for new members with all types of backgrounds. You don't need any particular skills other than a willingness to apply the guidelines fairly and objectively. One of the most misunderstood ARC issues is enforcement of violations of ARC guidelines and rules. ARC is only authorized to review applications for work to be done (including applications for work that has been completed without prior approval). ARC does not enforce violations of alleged violations of guidelines or any rule governing our community. As set forth in Guideline 2. E. (1), violations and possible violations should be brought to the attention of the management company. It is the responsibility of the management company to process and resolve any violation(s). Directly notifying ARC or any member of ARC does not constitute notification of a violation or possible violation. Please remember that our community is governed by various rules and laws, all of which require time to process. That process begins with advising the homeowner of the violation and providing some time to correct the issue. A violation reported to the management company is not likely to be resolved the same day or even in the next week or two. However, please be assured that all violations reported to the management company are fully investigated and, if found to be valid, processed properly, which does take time. If you have questions or want more information including directions on how to check out or join ARC, please contact me. ~ Steve Cooley, cooleyaudit@gmail.com, (801) 815-5302 Architectural Review Committee

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