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Pennsylvania County fire commission refers proposed fire-billing program to committee after wide concerns
Summary
The Pennsylvania County Fire and Rescue Commission on July 17 discussed a new local fire-billing process that would allow volunteer fire departments to invoice property owners and insurers under the Code of Virginia, but commissioners deferred action and sent the issue back to a committee after members raised equity and operational concerns.
The Pennsylvania County Fire and Rescue Commission on July 17 discussed a new local fire-billing process that would allow volunteer fire departments to invoice property owners and their insurance carriers for fire-service calls under the Code of Virginia.
Ben Meeks, a commission member, read language placed into the county code citing the Code of Virginia and said, “Any invoice or fire service charges by a volunteer fire department shall be sent to the owner of the property for which these services were rendered,” and that invoices would then be forwarded to the appropriate homeowner or automobile insurance carrier in accordance with Code of Virginia § 38.2-2130.
The discussion centered on how billing would work in practice and who would bear costs. Coleman Matthews, a commissioner, said the proposal raised equity concerns in the county, noting that "Pennsylvania County... has a highest poverty rate per national standards" and warning that many households are uninsured. Matthews added that charging for services could discourage people from calling for help and described the idea as “triple dipping” because departments already receive county funds, fundraising revenue and other per-call payments.
Commissioner Alan Casper said he shared reservations about billing for volunteer fire response, arguing that residents already support departments through taxes and donations and that billing could damage public support: “The old saying, bite in the hand, it feeds you,” Casper said, urging caution.
Commissioners also raised operational questions: who would prepare and account invoices, how charges would be calculated and audited, whether insurance carriers have fixed reimbursement limits (one participant said some insurers reimburse roughly $250–$500 for a first-due resource), and whether billing would push departments to provide stipends or paid staffing. A commissioner warned that providing monetary compensation could change an agency’s status under Virginia law, and several speakers said the county should confirm legal and administrative limits before adopting any fee schedule.
No formal fee schedule or countywide mandate was adopted. The commission agreed to refer the matter back to a reconstituted committee to research rates and implementation and to carry the issue to the county’s fire association for further discussion. Ben Meeks and Jimmy Atkins indicated they were willing to serve on the committee; the commission chair said they would add additional members and return with recommendations. The commission also agreed to consult Henry County, which recently began fire billing, to learn about that county’s experience.
Why it matters: The change would give volunteer departments the statutory authority to seek reimbursement for fire calls but raises practical and equity issues in a county with substantial poverty and uninsured households. Commissioners asked for clarity on billing limits, accounting controls, possible impacts on donations and call volume, and whether a patchwork of participating and nonparticipating departments could create competitive or coverage problems.
Next steps: The commission will reconvene committee members, consult the local fire association and contact neighboring Henry County for operational lessons before returning the item for further discussion.
