In addition to the duties of members of the
volunteer fire company and volunteer ambulance corps, which are located
in and operate within the Township of Skippack, as set forth in the
Act of June 2, 1915, P.L. 736, Article VI, Section 601, as last amended
by the Act of July 11, 1980, P.L. 577, Section 1, the members of said fire company and ambulance corps,
including minor volunteer fire fighters and minor volunteer ambulance
corps members, are further authorized to perform fund-raising activities
for said volunteer fire company and volunteer ambulance corps, provided
that the proceeds of such fund-raising activities are used for equipment
and training purposes and other direct expenses of the volunteer fire
company and volunteer ambulance corps.
[Added 3-9-2022 by Ord. No. 359]
A. This section shall be known as the "Skippack Township Emergency Services
Cost Reimbursement Ordinance."
B. Recovery of costs.
(1) The Township hereby authorizes the Skippack Fire Company to recover
the reasonable cost of emergency rescue tools, equipment, and materials;
hazardous material abatement tools, equipment, and materials; and
incurred third-party expenses arising from environmental incidents,
firefighting incidents, safety and rescue incidents, and vehicular
accidents.
(2) The reasonable costs described herein may be recovered directly by
the said Fire Company or through a third-party billing service as
an authorized agent for the recovery of such costs.
(3) The Fire Company or third-party billing service shall have authority
to recover the aforementioned costs only from the applicable insurance
company or carrier.
(4) The reimbursement rates for the aforementioned tools, equipment,
and materials shall be set by the Fire Company from time to time and
shall only be applied to the recovery of costs arising out of incidents
occurring after the setting of the applicable rates. A current schedule
of applicable rates shall be maintained by the Fire Company and on
file with the Township.
(5) In addition to the aforementioned costs, the Fire Company or third-party
billing service is authorized to collect reasonable interest and a
reasonable administrative fee, and any and all other fees and costs
as may be authorized by the Hazardous Material Emergency Planning
and Response Act, or any other applicable statute.
C. Responsibility of the Township. The Township shall not be responsible
for any aspect of the recovery of costs under this section. The Township
shall not take any steps to assist the Fire Department or any third-party
billing service in recovery of costs under this section.