STATter 911

Is this a sign of the economic times?

Leoni Township, MI, is reducing its fire department staffing from twelve to seven. At the same time it will cost residents a minimum of $550 if they call the fire department. Would it now be okay to use the term "paid fire department" in this case?

Forget I asked that. What I would really ask first if I was reporting in Michigan are these questions: Do you think this will increase the number of delayed alarms? How many people, thinking of the $550 it is going to cost, will say to themselves do I really need the fire department, or is this fire small enough that I can handle it?

There are a whole series of other questions that would follow about the potential impact of people hesitating to call the fire department because of the possibility they may be thinking dollars instead of safety.

Here's one I would want the township's fathers and mothers to answer: Aren't you increasing the possibility of larger fires at the same time you are cutting staffing by 40%?

All of these seem obvious questions to me.

The township felt they had to do it, according to the article on mlive.com:

The township lost $1 million for fire operations and equipment upgrades when voters rejected a five-year public safety millage in May.

The fees go much hire than $550. Here is how it breaks down according to mlive.com:

Approximate costs Leoni residents will pay for fire runs: $550

A Level I response, classified as a minor incident requiring basic rescue or fire services. $1,500

A Level II response requiring a platoon response and rescue or extrication. $3,500

A Level III response, classified the same as a Level II response but with cleanup and more time on-site by officers.

Leoni doesn't expect that everyone will pay. But will people realize that when they are thinking about whether to call for help? Here's more:

The township estimates it will recover one-third of the fire-run fees it assesses, many of which would fall on insurance companies. (Supervisor Kip) Ballast said a new fire millage would not be necessary if the fire services charge goes according to plan.

"The key to that is whether we can recover one-third of those costs," Ballast said. "I think we need to give it a chance to work."

Collecting fire-run fees could be difficult because of residents who cannot afford the fees, dealings with insurance companies and time lags between rescue responses and fee collection.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 9:58 AM