(9-8-2025 by Ordinance 5902-09-2025)
(a) 
The City of Burleson authorizes mitigation rates for the delivery of emergency and non-emergency services by the fire department for personnel, supplies, services, and equipment to the scene of motor vehicle and other emergency incidents as listed in this article and set forth in the City of Burleson's current fee schedule ordinance. The mitigation rates shall be based on actual costs of the services and that which is usual, customary and reasonable (UCR), as such fees are shown in the City of Burleson's current fee schedule ordinance, which may include any departmental services, personnel, supplies, and equipment and with baselines established in said current fee schedule ordinance.
(b) 
The city is authorized to file claims with a responsible party or parties through said party's (or parties') insurance carrier(s).
(c) 
The city may contract with a billing service entity for the collection of emergency and non-emergency fees set forth in this article.
(9-8-2025 by Ordinance 5902-09-2025)
The fees as described below and set forth in the City of Burleson's current fee schedule ordinance shall be charged as listed.
(1) 
Motor vehicle accidents.
a. 
Level 1.
Provide hazardous materials assessment and scene stabilization. This is the most common "billing level" and will occur almost every time the fire department responds to an accident/incident.
b. 
Level 2.
Includes Level 1 services and cleanup and material used (sorbents) for hazardous fluid cleanup and disposal. Level 2 charges are applicable when the fire department is required to clean up any gasoline or other automotive fluids that are spilled as a result of the accident/incident.
c. 
Level 3.
Provide scene safety, fire suppression, breathing air, rescue tools, hand tools, hose, tip use, foam, structure protection, and clean up gasoline or other automotive fluids that are spilled as a result of the accident/incident which results in a vehicle fire.
d. 
Add-on services.
1. 
Extrication.
This charge will be added if the fire department has to free/remove anyone from the vehicle(s) using any equipment such as heavy rescue tools, ropes, airbags, or cribbing. The city will not bill for extraction if the fire department is able to open the door to access the patient, even if the patient is unconscious. This level is to be billed only if equipment is deployed.
2. 
Creating a landing zone.
The city will bill this charge any time a helicopter landing zone is created and/or is utilized to transport the patient(s).
e. 
Additional time on-scene.
1. 
Engine.
Charged per hour for any additional time needed on scene.
2. 
Truck.
Charged per hour for any additional time needed on scene.
3. 
Miscellaneous equipment.
Charged per hour for any additional time needed on scene.
(2) 
Hazmat services.
a. 
Level 1.
Includes engine response, first responder assignment, perimeter establishment, evacuations, set-up and command.
b. 
Level 2.
Includes engine response, first responder assignment, hazmat certified team and appropriate equipment, perimeter establishment, evacuations, set-up and command, Level A or B suit donning, breathing air and detection equipment. Set-up and removal of decontamination center.
c. 
Level 3.
Includes engine response, first responder assignment, hazmat certified team and appropriate equipment, perimeter establishment, evacuations, first responder set-up and command, Level A or B suit donning, breathing air and detection equipment and robot deployment. Set-up and removal of decon center, detection equipment, recovery and identification of material. Disposal and environment cleanup. Includes above in addition to any disposal rates of material and contaminated equipment and material used at scene.
d. 
Additional time on-scene for all service levels.
1. 
Engine.
Charged per hour for any additional time needed on scene.
2. 
Truck.
Charged per hour for any additional time needed on scene.
3. 
Miscellaneous equipment.
Charged per hour for any additional time needed on scene.
4. 
Each additional hazmat response team.
Charged per hour for each responding team.
(3) 
Fire investigation team.
Includes: scene safety; investigation; source identification; identification equipment; mobile detection unit; fire report. The claim begins when the Fire Investigator responds to the incident and is billed for logged time only.
(4) 
Fires.
Includes: scene safety; investigation; fire hazard control. The city has the option to bill each fire as an independent event with mitigation rates based on the other charges authorized by this article if such rates would result in a higher amount.
a. 
Engine.
Charged per hour for time on scene.
b. 
Truck.
Charged per hour for time on scene.
(5) 
Illegal fires.
In cases of arson, or when a fire is started by any person or persons that requires a fire department response during a time or season when fires are prohibited by local or state rules, provisions or ordinances because of pollution or fire danger concerns, or when a fire would be permitted by permit but the permit was not obtained, the person or persons responsible for igniting such fire will be liable for the fire department response.
a. 
Engine.
Charged per hour for time on scene.
b. 
Truck.
Charged per hour for time on scene.
(6) 
Water rescues.
a. 
Level 1.
Claim will include engine response, first responder assignment, perimeter establishment, evacuations, first responder set-up and command, scene safety and investigation (including possible patient contact, hazard control).
b. 
Level 2.
Claim will include Level 1 services and one additional engine response, first responder assignment, perimeter establishment, evacuations, first responder set-up and command, scene safety and investigation (including possible patient contact, hazard control).
c. 
Level 3.
Includes Level 1 and Level 2 services as well as DART activation, donning breathing apparatus and detection equipment. Set-up and removal of decon center, detection equipment recovery and identification of material. Disposal and environment cleanup. Includes above in addition to any disposal rates of material and contaminated equipment and material used at scene.
(7) 
Back country or special rescue.
a. 
Response vehicle.
Charged per hour for time on scene.
b. 
Rescue personnel.
Charged per hour/per rescue personnel for time on scene.
(8) 
Chief response.
This includes the set-up of command, and providing direction of the incident. This could include operations, safety, and administration of the incident.
(9) 
Natural gas leak incidents.
a. 
Level 1 - natural gas leak outside without fire.
Minimal danger of life, property, and the environment, leak typically for mechanical damage to a meter or pipe. Evacuate immediate area, notify gas company, evaluate hazards including exposures, environment, vehicular traffic, etc. Conduct fence line monitoring to determine control zones. Remove ignition sources from the area, consider non-intervention strategy, if offensive tactics selected, ensure proper PPE, respiratory protection, thermal protection, and tactics are utilized.
b. 
Level 2 - natural gas leak outside with fire.
Moderate danger to life, property, and the environment, leak typically caused from mechanical damage with nearby operating equipment (car, backhoe, etc.) causing a fire. Evacuate immediate area, notify gas company, protect hazards from fire damage, do not extinguish the fire unless directed to do so by the gas company, consider water supply options.
c. 
Level 3 - natural gas leak inside structure.
Significant danger to life, property, and the environment, leak is typically difficult to identify and locate. Evacuate building and nearby structures, notify gas company, position apparatus away from the structure, attempt to control gas where it enters the building, ventilate the building (using intrinsically safe methods), remove ignition sources from inside the structure and shut off power on the outside of the structure.
(9-8-2025 by Ordinance 5902-09-2025)
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this article shall be fined not more than $2,000.00 for all violations involving zoning, fire safety, or public health and sanitation, including dumping or refuse, and shall be fined $500.00 for all other violations of this article. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.