(a) Definitions.
(1) "Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Company costs" means an amount fixed by Township Commissioners to cover the estimated compensation of fire personnel for the amount of time normally spent in responding to a call, with attendant fire fighter duties and/or clean up requirements, and other appropriate costs allocable thereto, together with the cost of repairing damaged fire company equipment or property. This amount shall be fixed from time to time by resolution by the Board of Commissioners.
(2) "Owner" means a person, corporation or other entity comprising the record owner of any land or building, motor vehicle, or who causes any accident or incident by which the Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Company must respond in order to fight the said fire, contain the said incident and/or clean up the said incident, which shall include emergency, police, fire, medical or hazard emergency, explosion, leak of toxic gas, liquified or solid or potential leak or explosion.
(b) Payment by Owners of Volunteer Fire Company Costs. Every owner or negligent party who causes a call to be made which requires a response by the Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Company shall be required to pay the costs of said response, together with any and all clean-up costs associated therewith. This amount shall be fixed from time to time and, shall be based upon an average costs for a typical volunteer fire company response. Said amount may be changed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
(c) Volunteer Fire Company Service Costs Due. In accordance with this section, costs shall be billed to the owner and/or negligent party with responsibility concerning the said fire call by the Secretary of Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Company or his or her duly authorized agent and shall be due and payable within thirty days of such billing.
(d) Unpaid Volunteer Fire Company Costs. All costs may be collected by civil action by the Township and/or by the Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Company against the owner and/or negligent party, with responsibility as to why the response by the Volunteer Fire Company was necessary.
(e) Fees.
(1) Vehicle accidents. The fee for vehicle accidents for the stabilization of vehicles, removal of hazard or the extrication of victims is three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) per vehicle involved.
(2) Vehicle fires. The fee for extinguishment of a vehicle fire is three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) per vehicle involved.
(3) Hazardous materials. The fee for a hazardous materials accident will be a flat rate of six hundred dollars ($600.00) per hour plus the cost of any Lower Chichester Fire Company property that is damaged. Minimum rate one hour.
(4) Service call. The fee for a service call will be a flat rate of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per hour for each Lower Chichester Fire Company vehicle that is committed to the scene. Minimum rate one hour.
(5) House fires. The fee for extinguishment of a house fire is five hundred dollars ($500.00) per house involved.
(Ord. 2003-05. Passed 4-21-03; Res. 2005-05. Passed 4-18-05.)