The Mt. Vernon Fire Department, as determined by its Chief or his designee, is hereby authorized to seek and obtain the services of independent or third party contractors or providers to provide manpower, materials, and equipment to assist the Mt. Vernon Fire Department in providing any service required to be provided or authorized to be provided by the Mt. Vernon Fire Department, including but not limited to firefighting, fire suppression, fire rescue, safety services, and emergency services. The expenses may include, but shall not be limited to, charges for materials, labor, and equipment provided by independent contractors or third party providers requested by the Mt. Vernon Fire Department to respond to or to provide assistance at a fire scene, emergency scene, or incident scene where the services of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department are being provided. Expenses incurred for such materials, labor, equipment shall be the joint and several liability of the owners and of the possessors of the real estate for which the services are provided, whether said person is a resident or non-resident of the City of Mt. Vernon. The Chief of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department shall ascertain the expenses incurred, shall assess the expenses, and shall invoice the liable party or parties; all expenses shall be due and payable within 30 days from date of the invoice. A liable person who shall fail or refuse to pay the expenses described herein shall be responsible for and shall pay all reasonable attorneys’ fees, collection costs, and other expenses incurred by the City of Mt. Vernon in effecting collection of the amounts owing.
(Prior Code, Art. 9, § 9.16)