[Adopted 11-5-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-01]
The Twin Valley Fire Department is recognized as the official
fire company to provide fire protection and related services to the
Borough of Elverson. The fire company, in addition to its primary
firefighting activities, often responds to hazardous material incidents,
environmental incidents, safety, rescue and similar incidents, either
in response to 911 requests, as a public service, or in coordination
with the emergency management agency.
It is the intention of the Borough to authorize the Twin Valley
Fire Department to seek collection and reimbursement for the reasonable
costs of responding to hazardous material incidents, environmental
incidents, safety, rescue and similar incidents and, under certain
circumstances, firefighting activities, either directly or in coordination
with agencies which provide invoicing services.
The Fire Company is hereby authorized to recover the reasonable
costs and expenses incurred for firefighting materials, equipment,
personnel hours, hazardous abatement materials, equipment use and
damage, and similar expenses relating to hazardous material incidents,
safety, rescue and similar incidents, including vehicular accidents
or incidents.
Where insurance coverage is available with respect to incidents
involving firefighting activities of commercial and residential properties,
the fire company is similarly authorized to recover its reasonable
costs and expenses or to receive a contribution in lieu thereof to
the extent that such insurance policies provide coverage for such
expenses.
The costs and expenses permitted hereunder may be billed or
directly charged by the fire company to the responsible person or
owner or to the appropriate insurance company, or in the alternative
the fire company may engage the services of a company which provides
such collection services.
Under no circumstances shall the fire company in any way limit
its activities or make a condition of providing its services the payment
or collection of a fee or charge either for current or past services.
In addition to the aforementioned costs and expenses, the fire
company is authorized to collect reasonable interest and a reasonable
administrative fee as may be authorized by law.