[Adopted 2-8-1999 by Ord. No. 8-1999;
amended in its entirety 7-17-2000 by Ord. No. 47-2000]
The City of Scranton Bureau of Fire shall be
reimbursed whenever a Fire Department vehicle (including but not limited
to Rescue 1) responds to an emergency. Emergency services provided
include, but are not limited to: extrication by the "Jaws of Life"
or other emergency equipment; basic medical evaluation and assistance
as required; scene stabilization, including but not limited to clean
up of scene, application of absorbents to absorb vehicle and bodily
fluids to protect the environment and conform to environmental legislation
and regulations; securing the vehicles to avoid the risk of further
injury; provision of traffic control, if necessary, pending arrival
of police; securing the scene pending the arrival of utility personnel
as necessary.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
To evaluate a person's medical condition, provide basic first
aid, stopping bleeding, ensuring an open airway, and includes the
use of a collar or backboard or other bandaging or immobilization
as appropriate; as well as assisting an ambulance crew in providing
treatment. "EMS" means emergency medical services.
City of Scranton.
The Lackawanna County Communications Center.
One who drives or operates either a vehicle, motorcycle or
bicycle.
An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting
state that calls for immediate action. This includes but is not limited
to motor vehicle or vehicle accidents.
The removal of a person from a vehicle or other location
from which they are not able to leave by their own ability, either
because of being trapped, endangered or injured. Extrication may be
done by using the "Jaws of Life," or by some other equipment.
The Scranton Fire Department. The Deputy Fire Chief is the
second highest ranking person in this Department.
Any vehicle operated by the Fire Department, including Rescue
One.
One, other than a parent, who cares for and has custody of
a minor or other person.
One who insures a person or vehicle.
Used in a permissive sense in this article.
Any person under the age of 18.
One who owns or has title to property, such as a vehicle.
The father or mother, natural or step-person or adopted,
of a minor.
One using their feet to move.
An executor or administrator of any description under the
Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries Code of the Pennsylvania Statutes
(Title 20).
The Rescue 1 Fire Company of the Scranton Fire Department.
Includes, but is not limited to: clean up of an accident
scene, application of absorbents to absorb vehicle and bodily fluids
to protect the environment and comply with environment legislation
and regulations, securing the vehicles to avoid the risk of further
injury, provision of traffic control, if necessary, pending arrival
of police, securing the scene pending the arrival of utility personnel
as necessary.
Used in a mandatory sense in this article.
Includes an automobile, bus, truck, tractor-trailer, motorcycle,
motor vehicle and bicycle as well as an "off road vehicle". For the
purposes of this article also includes a wheelchair user.
A.Â
It shall be the responsibility of the driver or operator
of any vehicle to provide the Scranton Fire Department with the following
information:
(1)Â
Their name, address and telephone number of their
insurance carrier, if applicable, and the name and address of the
owner.
(2)Â
The name, address and telephone number of any person
who is rendered services as specified above, and the name and address
of their insurance carrier (if applicable).
(3)Â
If the person aided or driver/operator is a minor,
the parent or guardian shall be responsible for the provision of the
information. In the event of serious injury or fatality, the next
of kin or estate shall provide the information.
A.Â
The City of Scranton Bureau of Fire shall be reimbursed a fee which
in the event of a motor vehicle accident shall be a per-vehicle fee,
or per-pedestrian or per-bicyclist, when a fire department vehicle
responds to an emergency, which fees shall be as follows:
[Amended 2-2-2021 by Ord.
No. 49-2021]
|
Apparatus
| |
|
Engine
|
$350 per hour
|
|
Aerial/ladder
|
$400 per hour
|
|
Rescue
|
$300 per hour
|
|
Squad/utility/support
|
$150 per hour
|
|
Tanker/tender
|
$300 per hour
|
|
Equipment/Service
| |
|
SCBA
|
$50 each
|
|
Hose (per 50 feet)
|
$25
|
|
Gas/CO detector/heat gun
|
$50 per use
|
|
Deodorizer
|
$25 per use
|
|
Extinguisher (any class)
|
$50 per use
|
|
Fire police services
|
$100 per hour
|
|
Hand tools
|
$15 each
|
|
Hydraulic rescue tools
|
$200 each
|
|
Scene lighting
|
$75 per hour
|
|
Oil booms
|
$20 each
|
|
Oil absorbent sheets
|
$2.50 each
|
|
Oil dry
|
$35 per bucket
|
|
Portable pumps
|
$30 per hour
|
|
Power tools
|
$50 each
|
|
Road closing/traffic control
|
$100 per hour
|
|
Salvage covers
|
$35 each
|
|
Debris cleanup/removal
|
$250
|
|
Flares
|
$8 each
|
|
Ventilation fans
|
$50 each
|
|
IR camera
|
$100 each
|
|
Foam
|
$65 per gallon
|
|
Cribbing
| |
|
Passenger
|
$100 each
|
|
Class B
|
$200 each
|
|
Trucks - Class A
|
$500 each
|
|
Stabilization struts
|
$50 per use
|
|
Latex gloves
|
$2 per pair
|
|
Ladders
|
$35 per use
|
|
Medical extrication (with hydraulics)
|
$1,500 per patient
|
|
Generator
|
$50 per hour
|
|
Hand lights
|
$5 per use
|
|
Portable pond
|
$150 per use
|
|
Wetting agent
|
$25 per unit
|
|
Fire line tape
|
$0.25 per foot
|
|
Manpower
|
$50 per employee per hour
|
B.Â
Prohibited defenses.
(1)Â
It shall not be a defense to any action to collect
these fees that a person was not at fault for the accident, as the
fee is not based upon fault; provided that subrogation is not prohibited
by this provision.
(2)Â
It shall not be a defense to any action to collect
these fees that a person has no insurance coverage; provided that
emergency services not be refused for lack or insurance or inability
to pay. The fee is not dependent on insurance coverage.
A.Â
The City of Scranton, through the Bureau of Fire and
the City Treasurer's office, shall have the responsibility and authority
to assess the fees as herein provided.
B.Â
Any applicable charges for emergency services rendered
shall be billed by the city to the driver or operator of the vehicle,
and if he or she cannot be served, the passenger or pedestrian for
whom services were rendered shall be billed. In the event of a fatality,
the estate or personal representative shall be billed. The city may
bill an insurance carrier for any person in its discretion.
C.Â
The Deputy Fire Chief or his designate is authorized
to provide fire reports upon written request after the payment of
a fee as prescribed by File of Council No. 180, 1994.
D.Â
The Deputy Fire Chief or any authorized custodian,
such as the Accounts Receivable Clerk, is hereby authorized to certify
that a document submitted to him by fire personnel, or prepared by
him, and in his custody, is a fair and accurate copy of those on file
with his office. Such certified copies shall be competent evidence
in any action brought under this article in any court of competent
jurisdiction without any further evidence of their truth, accuracy
or authenticity in any action to recover fees.
E.Â
The City Solicitor is hereby authorized to certify
to any court of competent jurisdiction legal costs of an action to
recover these fees, which certification shall be competent evidence
of such legal costs without any further evidence of their accuracy
or authenticity being required.
F.Â
The City Solicitor is hereby authorized, in his discretion,
to settle claims arising prior to this amendment which have not yet
been filed in court, due to the brevity of certain records. This provision
shall not be construed to require the dismissal of any pending actions.
G.Â
Court appearance fees required pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement to be paid by the city to any fire personnel
due to any action to collect the emergency services fee shall be included
as costs by any court of competent jurisdiction, upon certification
by the Deputy Fire Chief or his designate, effective from the date
that this amendment becomes effective.
Any person who shall fail, neglect or refuse
to comply with any of the terms or provisions of this article or of
any regulation or requirement, pursuant hereto and authorized hereby,
shall upon conviction thereof be ordered to pay a fine of $300 plus
costs, which may include legal fees and court appearance fees, and
in default of payment of fines and costs, imprisoned not more than
90 days following a hearing pursuant to Rule 1407 of the Rules of
Criminal Procedure. Each day's violation shall constitute a separate
offense.
