Fire safety rating for Ritzville department remains the same, despite improvements

Despite the numerous improvements to the Ritzville Fire Department in response to the Washington State Rating Bureau’s inspection early last year, the Fire Safety rating of seven became official on Feb. 1.

This means insurance rates in Ritzville are likely to increase by as much as 10 percent for personal insurance and 25 percent for business insurance rates based on statewide averages.

If all goes to Fire Chief Jim Bostic’s plan, the rating will not stick for long.

In December of 2014 Bostic sent a report to the rating bureau’s Spokane offices, requesting a re-evaluation of the fire departmen...