FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICE BILLING ORDINANCE
Adopted April 3, 2004
Amended March 31, 2007
Amended February 4, 2008
June 7, 2010
Town of Turner, Maine
Adopted April 3, 2004
FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICE BILLING ORDINANCE
Section 1: Statement of Purpose:
The Town of Turner is engaged in providing fire suppression, fire rescue and fire safety services and organized as a municipality under the laws of the State of Maine; and in consideration of services rendered hereby desires to set the following billing policy for Fire Department Services. This ordinance is adopted pursuant to municipal home rule ordinance authority and Title 30-A MRSA, Section 3001.
Section 2: Definition of Services:
The Town of Turner will seek payment for the cost of services provided by the Town of Turner Fire Department. Services the Town of Turner shall seek payment for including, but are not limited to:
A - Scene and safety control at traffic accidents;
B -Disentanglement operations and assist rescue with Extrication from vehicles:
C - Fluid mitigation at traffic accidents;
D - Vehicle Fire;
E - Hazard Mitigation Operations
Section 3: Fees for Services:
Upon adoption of this Ordinance, the Board of Selectmen in there expressed authority shall be authorized to review and set the fees as they deem in the best interest of the Town of Turner.
Section 4: Explanation of Charges:
A - Command & Control Scene Safety:
Positioning of fire apparatus and personnel so as to protect the scene from other traffic and deny entry into the scene of unauthorized personnel. Police can the move traffic around the area the fire department has deemed as the safe zone for the occupants of the vehicles and the rescuers on the scene. Safely staging other incoming agencies responding to this incident and may also include a pulled hose line for protection of people on scene from possible fires and fumes or residue from such things as gasoline and air bag propellants. The most important function is establishing incident command of the scene, which is the fire departments responsibility at emergency incidents of this nature, and to coordinate with other responding agencies for their needs at the scene.
Patient care is the responsibility of Emergency Medical Service personnel but assistance may be requested by the EMS personnel.
B - Disentanglement / Extrication:
Anytime a person has to be lifted or taken out of an emergency situation or forcible entry is necessary to gain proper access to victims the fire department will assist ambulance or EMS (Emergency Medical Services) personnel in a coordinated effort on their own. This could include, but is not limited to: car accidents, industrial accidents, confined spaces, below grade rescues, or even high angle rescues to name just a few. Ropes, ladder devices, air monitoring equipment, self contained breathing apparatus, hydraulic equipment, shoring, saws, cribbing, air bags are just a few of the types of equipment used in extrication issues.
C - Fire Suppression::
Fire suppression at a traffic accident is any time fire department personnel have to contain or extinguish a fire. It can also be the laying of hose lines and positioning a hand line for the protection of individuals at the scene because of fire, smoke, or leaking fluids, such as gasoline.
D - Hazard Mitigation:
Any time fire department personnel have to deal with any hazardous substances via containment or absorption with pads for carbon-based substances like gas or oil, or removal via pads and sand or other means permitted by the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). This could be a car accident, trucking accident or a fixed facility. The mitigation of all hazardous material and substances is done in conjunction with the DEP.
E - Billing Procedures:
1 - First billing on or about the 15th of each month for all reports submitted for billing in the prior 30-day period.
a) Terms 30 days; with same billing to all parties involved in the same accident;
2 - Second Notice, if invoice has not been settled in 60 days.
3 - 90 day notice sent by certified mail.
4 - Collection Agency to be contacted after 120 days.
F - Considerations for Write Off:
1 - When the claim was not paid with a valid reason (insured not at fault, not covered)
2 - Not covered and failed to pay after 60 day notice.
3 - If all attempts to contact insurance companies and /or individuals failed by any common method available listed above.
Section 5: Administration and Enforcement:
It shall be the duty of the Town Clerk and the Town Manager to effectively pursue the requirements of this Ordinance for payment of services rendered by the Fire Department as specifically outlined above.
Section 6: Effective Date:
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption by the Town of Turner at it's annual Town meeting of April 3, 2004.
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Section 7: Validity and Serverability:
If any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared by the courts to be invalid, such decision shall not invalidate any other section or provision of this Ordinance.
Section 8: Conflict with Other Ordinances:
This Ordinance shall not in any way impair or remove the necessity of compliance with any other applicable rule, ordinance, regulation, by law, permit, or provision of law. Where this Ordinance imposes a greater restriction upon the use of Fire Department Services, the provisions of this Ordinance shall control.
A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDINANCE ENTITLED " Fire Department Service Billing Ordinance.
ATTESTED:___________________________________________
EVA LEAVITT, TOWN CLERK
FEES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN APRIL 3, 2004 Amended February 2, 2008, June 7, 2010
Hourly rate for Engine Trucks: $200.00/hr
Hourly rate for Squad Truck: $100.00/hr
If the minimum call out fee for rolling to a scene when toned out exceeds $500.00, these charges will be reviewed by the Fire Chief, on Scene Commander or Department Officer and forwarded to the Town Office for billing.