Chadds Ford Township supervisors are considering a new ordinance that would allow fire companies to recover some funds after responding to emergencies. After the ordinance is advertised, the board is expected to hold a hearing and then vote on it during the June meeting.
“This ordinance is intended to grant fire companies operating within the township the authority to seek reimbursement for the reasonable costs of responding to incidents within their service areas, either directly or in coordination with the township,” a draft of the proposed ordinance reads.
Costs to be recovered include the emergency rescue tools, tools used to abate hazardous materials, and other equipment and materials.
In short, the ordinance, if passed, would allow the fire companies to bill insurance companies for reimbursement, while the amount would be determined by the fire company. The township would not be responsible for the recovery costs, nor would the township take any steps to help a fire department in recovering those costs.
Following a question from Supervisor Samantha Reiner, township solicitor Mike Maddren, said only the insurance company would be billed, not the individual.
Township manager Lacey Faber added that the ordinance authorizes the fire company to bill the insurance company.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
