Accident fees response
Over the past several weeks, a small group has complained of actions by the Polson Rural Fire Board. Whether by design or inadvertence, a large amount of misinformation has been disseminated. In order to rectify this, the board feels compelled to respond.
Auto insurance rates will not increase. A simple call to the State Insurance Commissioner reveals that auto insurance rates are set for large geographic areas (typically several counties) and filed with the state.
Nowhere are the rates set on the basis of a single zip code. Moreover, although communities throughout Montana have charged crash response fees for years, the Insurance Office has seen no indication of higher rates as a result.
Other issues:
1. The board does not receive any benefit from the fees. Both the trustees and firefighters serve without compensation. The only benefit is to the community and to those receiving the services.
2. Charges are only levied for services rendered and specifically for costs incurred in providing the response. If there is a response wherein nothing is provided (the trucks turn around and go home) there is no charge. If the community wishes to maintain and continue to improve the services provided, they need to be funded.
3. While the rescue truck was paid for by the firefighters, rather than taxpayers, there are ongoing costs for training, maintenance, and replacement/update of rescue equipment. Technology is continually changing, particularly as to airbags and electric/hybrid autos. In order to safely and effectively deal with these changes, new training and new tools are required. Both cost money.
4. Other costs associated with crash response have continued to increase, including: fuel, insurance, workers’ compensation and costs for replacing damaged gear.
5. Communities that have had these charges in place for years report they are fully paid for by the insurance companies. And again, with no increase in insurance rates.
Regardless of whether Polson Rural Fire District attempts to recover its costs or not, the taxpayers in this district will continue to pay fees for crash response. Numerous neighboring communities in Lake, Flathead, Missoula, and Sanders county have such fees in place and several have been collecting them for years without complaint or difficulty.
The majority of crash response is provided to persons who pay no taxes in this community. These services are currently paid for solely by the taxpayers of the district who also help pay for services in other communities when they have an accident there.
The board determined that it was fair and reasonable to ask those utilizing this service to contribute toward it and not place that burden on the taxpayers of this district alone.