Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire chief proposes billing for emergency responses; supervisors ask for details and regional coordination
Summary
East Manchester's fire chief reported 22 calls in February and recommended billing for emergency responses to fund apparatus and operating costs; supervisors asked for a formal fee schedule, regional coordination with a DCED study and Attorney Miller's legal advice. No ordinance or vote was taken.
The township's fire chief reported April 14 that the department responded to 22 calls in February and outlined a proposal to begin charging for fire responses to help cover costs that fundraising does not meet.
"22 calls for the month, $2,000 loss," the chief said in the report. The chief told the board that volunteer fundraising covers only some operating expenses and cannot buy fire apparatus, and said, "We're left with our only alternative, which is to start billing for services," prompting questions about legal authority, fee structure and accounting.
Attorney Miller and supervisors discussed options: an amendment to the township fee schedule, a resolution delegating billing authority, and use of a third-party billing agency. Board members said insurance often covers much of the recoverable cost, noted billing firms typically retain a percent of collections, and asked the chief to provide a proposed fee schedule for staff and solicitor review.
Supervisors also urged coordination with an ongoing DCED study of regional fire services. One supervisor said the region-wide review should inform any local policy changes and recommended separate fee schedules for commercial and residential responses.
The board did not adopt an ordinance or a fee schedule at the meeting; members asked the fire chief to submit a detailed proposal, including what items would be billable, estimates of revenue, and how billing would be handled administratively.
