Bill pending to help fire companies recoup expenses

Dec. 20--A bill that would allow fire companies to charge for emergency response-related expenses is gaining favor among lawmakers and fire companies, but there still are some questions about how it would work.

House Bill 1272 is making its way through the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which recently held a hearing. Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, Chester and Delaware counties, the committee's majority chairman, hosted the hearing.

"As our fire companies face the increasingly challenging issue of remaining financially viable, this bill would provide reimbursement for equipment that is used when responding to an emergency," Barrar stated. "It would not allow staff time to be paid, nor would it be expected to be a sustainable revenue stream."

The intention is to help fire companies, which depend heavily on breakfasts, dinners, carnivals and other fundraisers to operate.

Sunbury Fire Chief Ken Kipple said the bill would help.

"It's something we've been looking at the last couple years," Kipple said. "Even if it passes the state, there would have to be local laws that would allow us to do that."

"They respond to a lot of calls and they don't get any reimbursement at all," said state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-108 of Sunbury. "They're struggling to raise money for equipment and vehicles. It's more time-consuming to raise money for these things. Ambulance companies and tow truck companies get reimbursed."

State Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, said the committee would have to have at least one more hearing.

"There are some moving parts as to how everything will work," Keller said, referring to how much fire companies would charge and whether insurance would cover the cost for property owners.

He, like Culver, pointed out insurance covers ambulance and tow truck responses.

"I'm confident that will be taken care of," he said.

But Pennsylvania Insurance Department spokesman Ron Ruman said, "That House bill would not require insurers to pay bills from fire companies. It would depend on the policies."

Adam Purdy, of Purdy Insurance in Sunbury, said it's too soon to say what the coverage would be because he didn't know what the bill would say.

"We cannot comment until we've had an opportunity to review the bill," Purdy said.

Purdy said current policies vary on that coverage from company to company.

"I want to do whatever we can to make sure our emergency responders have the tools and resources necessary to keep our people safe," Keller said.

He said the bill is not specific about fees but calls for reasonable fees.

"Work needs to be done to see how that works," Keller said. "Right now as I understand it, it's a work in progress."

Culver also said lawmakers have to determine out how fees will work.

"They probably will still have to work that part out, but it can't be more than the cost of the response," she said. "This is about being greedy, it's about reimbursement.

Kipple had no idea how fees would be determined.

"We don't want to bill individual citizens," he said. "Homeowner's insurance and vehicle insurance do cover some emergencies."

That's why a local law also is needed, the chief said.

"Without a city code, we could bill, but that doesn't mean they'll pay it."

But even fire companies such as William Cameron Engine Company in Lewisburg, which receives funding from the borough and four adjacent townships and holds two fund drives a year, still faces a deficit in its $1.3 million budget. The fire company is part paid, part volunteer.

Fire Chief James J. Blount III, who didn't have specific budget figures on hand, said, though, he didn't feel the proposal would benefit the department because it receives tax money from the municipalities for services.

Email comments to [email protected]. Follow Sylvester on Twitter @JoepSylvester

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