Enlightened by fire: Lessons from the IBHS burn demonstration

On a misty morning in Salem, Oregon, I stood with colleagues, fire officials, and community leaders as two buildings, representing homes—identical in size but worlds apart in design—faced the flames. One was built to standard construction. The other followed the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home standard. Within minutes, the difference was undeniable. 

The unprotected home succumbed quickly, reduced to ash by embers carried on the wind (embers can travel up to five miles in high winds!). The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home stood firm, a testament to science, preparation, and the power of prevention. 

This wasn’t just a demonstration. It was a call to action. 

At PEMCO, we’ve long believed in the value of prevention. But seeing it in action—watching how something as simple as clearing a 5-foot safety zone around a house can help it survive a wildfire—was powerful and moving. We are partnering with IBHS because we share similar values and have a common, overarching priority: to help individuals and communities understand risks and empower them with information and tools to prevent them from experiencing damage. 

The IBHS demonstration helps us remember we can inspire action, inform policy, and empower our members to make safer choices. 

I’m proud that PEMCO is part of this conversation. And I’m even prouder that we’re helping all of our members and those in the community prevent the preventable. 

 Calvin T. Strong
 VP, Chief Claims Officer at PEMCO Mutual Insurance
 Calvin has enjoyed a progressive career within the property and casualty insurance industry with The Economy Companies, St Paul Insurance, MetLife Auto and Home Insurance, Farmers Insurance Exchange, and now PEMCO Insurance.  With over 30 years of experience, he brings a diverse leadership background across several national areas of claims [operations, strategy and process, advanced analytics, technology, recoveries, vendor management, quality, compliance, training, and integration], along with serving as a market strategist for three western states.