As a statement of general principle, PIAL is not requiring fire departments to undertake actions or activities in connection with a grading which would contradict the provisions or purpose of the emergency declaration. PIAL will not penalize fire departments in a PPC grading for not undertaking activities during the effective period of this policy which would contradict the provisions or purpose of the declaration of emergency.

For gradings scheduled to be conducted in 2020, such gradings would utilize data from 2019, prior to the declaration of emergency. However, the on-site portion of the grading would be conducted in 2020. Any fire department which has an on-site grading scheduled to occur during the effective dates of this policy may, at its option, request that the on-site activities be rescheduled to a date in 2020 which is subsequent to the termination of the declaration of emergency. For those fire departments which do not wish to reschedule the on-site portion of their gradings until a later date, PIAL will proceed to conduct the on-site portion of the grading on the previously scheduled date.

For gradings scheduled to be conducted in 2021, such gradings would normally use data from 2020. Due to the existence of the state of emergency, and the restrictions on activities during the state of emergency which would otherwise occur, PIAL will accept the following data, at the option of the fire department: either (1) the fire department’s data from 2019; or (2) data from the period of time in 2020 which excludes the time period in which the COVID-19 declaration of emergency is in effect, which will then be annualized for the year 2020.

Any questions concerning this policy should be directed to Blaine Rabe, Municipal Division Manager of PIAL, at brabe@pial.org