Volume 3 Number 50
December 11, 2006

Department of Financial Services button
Consumer Services HelpLine Number 800-342-2762
e-mail CFO Tom Gallagher
Press Releases button
Previous Issues button
CFO location button
Subscribe to Eviews button
Unsubscribe to eViews button
Text Version buttonFlorida Department of Financial Services logo

 

As Floridians prepare for chilly weather and the 2006 holiday season by turning up their heaters and setting out candles and lights, residents should keep safety in mind.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 73 percent of home-heating deaths are attributed to space heaters.  The association also reports that real or artificial Christmas trees were the first item in the home to ignite in an estimated average of 310 reported U.S. home structure fires per year in 1999-2002.  These fires caused an average of 14 civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in direct property damage per year. 
               
This time of year we see a large number of preventable fires that occur in Florida’s homes.  I urge all Floridians to be cautious, have working smoke alarms and fire escape plans.

As state fire marshal, I encourage Floridians to follow these simple fire safety tips:

  • Make sure you have smoke detectors and make sure they work.
  • Create a fire escape plan for your family and practice carrying out the plan.
  • Use flashlights instead of candles if electrical power is knocked out.
  • Plug electric space heaters directly into wall outlets. Do not use extension cords. 
  • Keep space heaters and other heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture, walls and drapes and never use a space heater in a bedroom.
  • Before using a fireplace, make sure the chimney flue is open so carbon monoxide gas can escape. 
  • If your natural gas is shut off or the pilot light needs to be re-lit, contact your local gas company. Do not attempt to turn the gas on or light the pilot on your own.
  • Water Christmas trees daily.
  • Don’t let tree lights touch needles or curtains. 
  • Turn out lights and snuff candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
  • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets and use sturdy candleholders.
  • Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.

Education and awareness are critical to help prevent home fires. These tips can help save lives. 

For more fire safety tips, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com or www.nfpa.org.

Best,




CRIST, GALLAGHER ANNOUNCE $5.8 MILLION SETTLEMENT TO MULTIPLE CITIES AND COUNTIES BY BROWN & BROWN
 Greater disclosure requirements in agreement will also improve transparency in broker transactions

Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, Charlie Crist, Florida’s attorney general and governor-elect, and Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced that Brown & Brown, Inc. has agreed to reimburse up to 400 cities and counties in Florida approximately $4.8 million for collecting undisclosed fees or commissions when it placed various coverages with insurance companies. Brown & Brown, a Florida-based insurance broker, has also agreed to adhere to stricter disclosure requirements in its broker transactions.

“Brown & Brown has fully cooperated with our agencies to reimburse cities and counties in Florida for excess fees and commissions it collected and has agreed to fully disclose all fees and commissions in the future,” Gallagher said. Gallagher said that the widespread investigation of Florida’s insurance brokers and companies is positively changing the way the insurance industry does business. CONTINUED



LES HALLMAN

CFO-ELECT SINK TAPS VETERAN FIREFIGHTER TO LEAD STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE

Alex Sink, elected to serve as Florida’s chief financial officer beginning January 2, 2007, announced today that she has appointed Leslie “Les” Hallman to serve as the new director of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Hallman, a 25-year veteran in fire and rescue services, law enforcement and emergency management, will assume his new duties next month.

“Les Hallman will be an outstanding addition to our team,” said Sink, who as CFO will also hold the title of state fire marshal. “He has the knowledge and experience and shares my commitment to protecting Floridians, promoting fire safety and aggressively investigating arson.”

As director of the Division of State Fire Marshal, Hallman will oversee four bureaus: the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, a sworn law enforcement agency; the Bureau of Fire Prevention, the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, and the Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosives Analysis (the Arson Laboratory).
CONTINUED




GALLAGHER ANNOUNCES ARREST OF PALM BEACH MAN FOR INSURANCE FRAUD

Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, announced the arrest of the owner and operator of Ron Mor Drywall, Inc. on a charge of workers’ compensation premium fraud for allegedly underreporting payroll to his workers’ compensation carrier to avoid more than $67,000 in premiums.

Ronald Salvatore Mauro, 64, of South Palm Beach, was arrested this morning following an investigation by the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud.  Mauro was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and faces up to 15 years in prison, in addition to fines and restitution, if convicted.

 “Those who avoid paying appropriate premiums create an uneven playing field for other employers and put their employees at risk,” said Gallagher, who oversees the department.  “We are determined to ensure that employers comply with the law and that appropriate action is taken against those who do not.” CONTINUED

STATE FIRE MARSHAL ARSON DETECTIVE NAMED 2006 INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR BY FLORIDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ARSON PREVENTION

The Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention (FACAP) has named an arson investigator in the State Fire Marshal’s Office as the organization’s Investigator of the Year.

Detective Chris Scovotto has served with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, since 1999, and currently serves in the bureau’s North Region where he is credited with building strong working relationships between law enforcement and the fire service.

In the past 12 months, Detective Scovotto has been the primary investigator in 60 cases.  Fifteen of the fires investigated were determined to have been incendiary, and eight of the cases involved the use or threatened use of a destructive device. Detective Scovotto made arrests in 15 of these 23 cases, resulting in a clearance rate of 65 percent.

Detective Scovotto is recognized for providing prosecutors with thorough arrest information, and his investigative practices have resulted in formal charges being filed in virtually all of his arrest cases.

 

 

HOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE

Are you shopping online for the holidays? U.S. online retail sales this holiday season will increase 23% over last year to reach $27 billion, according to Forrester Research. Almost one-fifth of the consumers surveyed say that the Internet will be the place where they shop the most during the holidays. Consumers of all ages find shopping for holiday gifts online to be convenient, fast and easy.

Shopping online may be a convenience, but the consumer needs to protect and safeguard personal information while online.  The following shopping tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can help you be a well-informed online consumer. CONTINUED