[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Forks 4-20-2017 by Ord. No.
347. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words and phrases when used in this Chapter 86 shall have the meanings given to them in this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
An amount that is consistent with what a reasonable person
would pay in the same or similar circumstances for the same business
or for the same or similar item. This term shall not include any costs
for labor.
An incident that requires responsive, coordinated action
to protect an individual, the environment, critical infrastructure
or property.
The Community Fire Company of Forks Township.
The dispatch of a fire company to an emergency by the Northampton
County 911 Call Center or a response to a special call or request
from the Forks Township Police with an emergency.
The Township of Forks, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
A person involved in an emergency that necessitates a response
from the Fire Company shall be liable for the actual and reasonable
response costs incurred by the Fire Company unless that person has
paid a tax to the Township which funds at least part of the Fire Company's
operations and maintenance.
A.
Billing. The Fire Company shall have the right and authority to seek
reimbursement for actual and reasonable response costs related to
an emergency as provided for under this chapter which includes but
is not limited to the actual or reasonable response costs of materials
used or equipment damaged in an emergency. A bill for reimbursement
must clearly itemize the costs that have been incurred by the Fire
Company and shall be in accordance with the cost schedule adopted
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the
Township of Forks. A bill therefor shall be sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to the responsible persons.
B.
Reimbursement. If a person receives a bill for actual and reasonable response costs as provided for under this chapter, the person shall be responsible for payment of the bill. A person may elect to submit the bill to an insurance company; however, submission of a bill to an insurance company shall not relieve the person, other than a person that has paid taxes to the Township as provided in § 86-2, from financial responsibility for payment of the bill, if an insurance company denies payment of the bill.
C.
Failure to pay. The Fire Company or a third-party billing service
that submits to a person a bill for actual and reasonable response
costs as provided for under this chapter may file an action in a court
of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of actual and reasonable
response costs if the person fails to pay the amount of the bill,
which may include reasonable interest, reasonable administrative fees,
reasonable attorney fees, and court fees for the collection of the
bill.
