EXTRICATION FEES FOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Pontiac Fire Chief John Cummins recently proposed charging accident victims for technical rescue services, such as extrications. The fees, Cummins explained, would help pay for overtime costs associtated with calling a second fire department vehicle to the scene. Cummins suggested charging a $300 per hour flat fee, which could be charged to a person's car insurance. Cummins pointed out that $300 is only half of the $600 maximum fee set by Illinois state law.
Cummins was previously fire chief in Stone Park which charged a $250 fee. The fire department was able to collect this fee in 98% of cases.
The Pontiac City Council voted to approve writing a draft of the proposal. Several details still need to be worked out, but early reactions to the proposal were positive, with at least one alderman noting that this practice would shift costs from the goverment to the indiviudal or the insurer.
