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Westland council introduces ordinance to let fire department recover costs for non‑emergency responses
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance (Ordinance Nos. 50185–50189) that would allow Westland’s fire department to charge for non‑emergency lift assists and other non‑emergency responses by for‑profit residential health facilities; the measure was introduced unanimously and will return for formal adoption at a later meeting.
Westland City Council introduced an ordinance — listed as Ordinance Nos. 50185 through 50189 — that would allow the city’s fire department to assess a service fee to recover some costs when responding to non‑emergency incidents at for‑profit skilled nursing, assisted‑living and similar residential care facilities.
The proposal was introduced by Councilwoman Rykowski and moved by Councilman Murkowski, with Councilman Hart supporting the motion; the introduction passed with no dissent. The item is being advanced as an initial reading and would return on a future agenda for formal adoption if the council votes to adopt it.
Supporters said the charge is intended to limit repeated calls to fire crews for non‑emergency transport or “lift assist” situations that they say strain emergency resources. “This is a small portion of the cost recovery of what it costs us to go on a run,” Westland Fire Chief Stamper told the council, adding that private ambulance companies sometimes provide multi‑hour response windows and facilities then call 911 instead of waiting. “It’s really to kinda thwart that type of behavior from these facilities that are supposed to be staffed,” he said.
Council members repeatedly framed the ordinance as targeting for‑profit residential facilities rather than private homeowners. Councilman Wishart said the ordinance is structured so Medicaid residents at affected facilities would not bear additional cost, describing the charge as “baked in” to facility billing and not an out‑of‑pocket charge to Medicaid clients. The ordinance also would include an appeals process for facilities assessed a fee.
Council members praised the chief and the city attorney’s office for consulting with facilities and said similar cost‑recovery measures exist in other communities. The item was presented as an introduction; council members and staff said a formal adoption vote would occur at the next council meeting after councilors and the public have time to review the ordinance text.
The ordinance text (50185–50189) as introduced is intended to apply to for‑profit skilled nursing centers, nursing homes, residential living centers and assisted living centers and specifically excludes private residences, according to council remarks.
If adopted at a later meeting, the ordinance would create a structured fee and an appeals process; the council did not adopt the ordinance tonight — only the introductory reading was approved.
