Administration to resend fire billing proposal to council
Written by Julie Ryan | | news@toledofreepress.comThe mayor’s office confirmed May 14 that they have sent legislation to the Toledo City Council to again implement a fee to residents who use the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department (TFRD) services.
The ordinance, which has yet to be reviewed by the City Council, states that the city, or an authorized agent, can establish a fee to charge Toledoans for the “use, loss, damage and wear and tear” to the TFRD’s equipment and materials necessary to provide 911 response and services.
Mary Bonelli, spokesperson for the Ohio Insurance Institute, said she has been monitoring the situation in Toledo regarding fire billing since working on The Ohio Insurance Institute Study Regarding Fire Department Service Fees and Limited Coverage.
“At first glance, we definitely have some concerns from and insurance industry standpoint, and from the standpoint of Toledo residents,” Bonelli said. “This could potentially be a major public safety hazard for the City of Toledo.”
Bonelli said Toledo residents could be billed thousands of dollars, on top of loosing their home or a personal injury.
“Why, all the sudden – if the city could pay for it last year and provide all services – how can they not find the money to pay for it this year?”
Bonelli said she hopes voters in Toledo will have a chance to review this and have a voice.
City Council recently voted down similar legislation.
Just want to add an explanation as to why this proposal is a public safety risk. Our concern stems from the possibility that a resident may attempt to extinguish a home fire instead of calling the fire department for fear of being billed thousands of dollars. If this person is injured or dies in the process, or if the fire spreads to a neighboring home, this could become a very serious problem for the city.
This comment was posted on May 15th, 2009 at 10:43 amAdditionally, the way this ordinance is drafted, local residents could be liable for picking up the tab for fire services beyond coverage limits of their homeowners policy (if there is coverage for intra-city services). Section 3 of the proposed ordinance lists specific billing costs for everything from fire trucks to a $200 hourly rate for the battalion chief to the cost of disposable goggles and barricade tape!
Residents be aware: You may have limited (usually $500) or no coverage under your homeowners policies if this proposal passes. View our study that details this coverage at http://tinyurl.com/cg8jdf
Let your council members know that a few dollars in revenue is not worth the risk of injury, death or substantial property damage.