(A) The Mt. Vernon Fire Department is hereby authorized to control and eliminate hazardous materials and hazardous material emergencies. The Fire Department shall have the authority to summarily remove, abate, and remedy all hazardous material emergencies or incidents within or without the corporate limits of the City of Mt. Vernon which are dangerous or prejudicial to public health or public safety. Expenses incurred by the Mt. Vernon Fire Department shall be the joint and severable liability of the owner or owners of the hazardous material, the owner of the means of transport, and all other persons having responsibility for or contributing to the hazardous material emergency or incident whether resident or nonresident.
(B) The Mt. Vernon Fire Department as determined by its Chief or his designee is hereby authorized to seek and obtain the services of an independent hazardous material specialist or to seek and obtain the service of a hazardous material specialist associated with the company or companies responsible for the removal, abatement or remedy of a hazardous material emergency or incident. The expenses of removal, abatement or remedy shall include but be limited to charges for all materials used; a charge for all firefighting services including equipment and manpower; charges for experts, specialists or other consultants; and all other charges associated or related to the hazardous material emergency or incident.
(C) The Fire Chief of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department shall ascertain the expenses incurred in removing, abating or remedying the hazardous material emergency or incident and shall notify the responsible party informing said party that all expenses and charges are due and payable within 30-days from date of notice of the charges. Any person who shall fail or refuse to pay the expenses of removal, abatement or remedy shall be responsible for all attorneys’ fees, collection costs and other collection costs and other expenses incurred by the City of Mt. Vernon in effecting collection of the amounts owing. Monies collected hereunder as expenses for removal, abatement or remedy of any hazardous material emergency or incident shall be used by the City of Mt. Vernon to purchase materials, training and programs for controlling and containing hazardous material emergencies and incidents.
(Prior Code, Art. 9, § 9.15)