Lewis Fire Departments Want Billing Capability
By JOHN WICKLINE, Staff WriterWeston Fire Chief Mike Young said just because the word "volunteer" appears in the phrase "volunteer fire department" does not mean there should not be a charge for its services.
Young wants the Lewis County Commission to pass an ordinance giving the volunteer fire departments the ability to bill insurance companies for responding to motor vehicle accidents. Young said most policies cover such incidents, and the state Legislature has passed laws allowing it.
"We need it to offset our rising costs," Young said. "Fuel costs are out of sight."
Lewis County does have a fire service fee and recently added a $30,000 line item to the commissioners' budget that can be used to purchase trucks. But Young said the fire service fee does not have as much buying power as it did when it was first implemented.
Commissioners, however, have balked at earlier attempts by Young to bring about the ordinance. Commissioner Bob Rinehart said he does not want to bill county residents already paying for fire protection services.
"It is not our intention to bill individuals," Young said. "If you live out of the county and your insurance company refuses to pay this bill, then you would see a bill."
Young said those people whose policy does not contain fire rescue coverage could see a bill if they do not pay the county's fire fee. He added that those driving without any insurance will receive a bill.
"They're illegal, and they ought to pay the fee," Young said.
Young said each county department would do their own billing, and they would only bill for those accidents in their primary response area. Young said there could be some sharing of the revenues between departments, if such an arrangement can be worked out. He said the fee would be split between policy holders in the event of a multi-vehicle accident.
The law allows a maximum charge of $500.
"The officers need us out there," Young said. "They are trying to investigate these accidents, and the traffic is just driving over top of them.
"The insurance companies are paying for everybody else to be out there," he added. "If you smack a telephone pole, they'll pay for that. But they expect us to do it for free."
The fire chief said that donations to the volunteer departments are being hurt by the struggling economy. He said implementing this billing policy would help keep the departments financially afloat.
"These motor vehicle accidents are running us ragged, so we need this capability," Young said. "It's a service that is in your policy. You're paying your insurance company for this service, so if you don't allow us to bill for our services, then you're letting the insurance companies get richer."
