[Ord. 514, 6/3/2019]
1. 
Definitions. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this Part unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ACTUAL AND REASONABLE RESPONSE COSTS
An amount that is consistent with customary charges an individual would pay in the same or similar circumstances for the same service or similar item. This term shall not include any cost for labor.
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES
This term includes fire, police, EMS, County ESU, or other departments, but specifically shall include Speedwell Engine and Hose Company, North Lebanon Township Police Department, First Aid and Safety Patrol, or other public safety agencies singularly or collectively used in mutual aid to respond to emergencies.
OFFICIAL DISPATCH
The dispatch of an agency or agencies to an emergency by Lebanon County Dispatch/911, or other official agency in Lebanon County which directs public safety agencies to respond to an emergency.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
A person, firm, or corporation involved in an emergency that necessitates a response from a public safety agency.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of West Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
2. 
Reimbursement. The West Lebanon Township Board of Commissioners has the power to authorize a request for reimbursement to public safety agencies responding to emergencies within the West Lebanon Township legal boundaries. No other person or entity may charge or receive any reasonable response costs within the Township. Said responsible party shall be responsible for the actual and reasonable response costs incurred by the public safety agency within West Lebanon Township.
3. 
Procedure.
A. 
Billing. With the approval of the Township, the public safety agencies 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 costs of material used or equipment damaged in an emergency. A bill for reimbursement must clearly itemize the costs that have been incurred by the public safety agency and shall be in accordance with the most recent fee resolution adopted by the Township.
B. 
Reimbursement procedure. If a responsible party receives a bill for actual and reasonable response costs as provided for under this Part, the responsible party shall be responsible for payment of the bill in full. A responsible party may elect to submit the bill to an insurance company. Submission of a bill to an insurance company shall not relieve the responsible party from financial responsibility for payment of the bill if reimbursement is denied by any applicable insurance.
C. 
Failure to pay. The public safety agency or a third-party billing service that submits to a responsible party a bill for actual and reasonable response costs as provided for under this Part may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of actual and reasonable response costs if the responsible party fails to pay the bill issued. Said amount shall include interest, reasonable administrative fees, attorneys' fees, and any court fees incurred in the collection effort.
D. 
All fees and rates shall be set by resolution on a yearly basis.
4. 
Exemptions.
A. 
Residents of the Township who have no insurance coverage for an emergency that a public safety agency responds to are exempted from the payment of reimbursement charges herein. However, any commercial-owned or industrial-owned property shall not be eligible for the exemption herein.
B. 
Calls for service at residential structure single-family residents' emergencies within the Township shall not be subject to any payment reimbursement charge unless it is determined that the emergency services rendered are connected to negligent and/ or malicious act or acts on the part of the property owner and/ or tenant or tenants.