Chester Fire Department Forced to Shutdown

Chester Fire Department is on shutdown and will not be responding to your emergency calls. General Manager of Chester Utility District Adam Cox informed the Lake Almanor community of its temporary shutdown after he and legal counsel discovered the department has been operating without liability coverage. The coverage was dropped as Cox wrote in a letter to Chester fire Personnel that CFD has numerous legal claims and settlements that the insurance carrier dropped them. Since then they continue to be unable to find an insurer to pick them back up. Cox stated the ones that are offering to look at covering the department are asking astronomical premiums and exclude risks firefighters face each day. Staff will continue to be employed yet they are to discontinue responding to emergencies and are to focus on training. Cox assured the community will be updated as they search for insurance options. For now emergency response will come from the surrounding local fire departments and CalFire.