Item 3: Ordinance on First-Response Fee

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Ordinance Concerning Fire & EMS Response Fees to Out-of-Area Users and Adding Section 2.610 to the Eugene Code, 1971 Meeting Date: September 26, 2011 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Fire & EMS Department Staff Contact: Randall B. Groves, Chief www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-7115 ISSUE STATEMENT The Fire & EMS Department is requesting to add section 2.610 to the Eugene Code, 1971, concerning fire and emergency medical services (EMS) first response fees for out-of-area users. BACKGROUND Since the department was formed in 1872, the citizens of Eugene City, later renamed the City of Eugene, have enjoyed the services of the Fire Department which is supported primarily by General Fund dollars. The service was delivered by volunteer firefighters until the early 1920’s when a full-time paid firefighting force was employed. Since then, the department has been considered a core service of the City and responds to calls for service within its response area regardless of a person’s residency status or ability to pay. As the City works to reduce its costs while looking for additional fair, stable and equitable revenues, the Fire Department is requesting the adoption of this ordinance to provide a mechanism for billing non- residents who utilize emergency response from General Fund supported Fire and EMS resources. This move is consistent with what a number of other jurisdictions have imposed within our area, across the State and country. Based on previous calls for service by out-of-area residents, it is estimated this new fee will bring in an additional $12,600 in annual revenues. This proposal does not adversely affect anyone living within the cities of Eugene and Springfield, or one of the current fire protection contract districts served by either city, or a member of either City’s FireMed program, or a member of a reciprocating agencies FireMed program. RELATED CITY POLICIES Current Eugene City Code states: 2.604 Fire and Ambulance Services. (1) The city shall provide fire suppression and fire prevention and may provide ambulance services. The scope of these services inside and outside the city limits are to be established annually by the adopted budget of the city and organized as directed by the city manager. (2) Employees in position classifications determined by the city manager shall have authority to act as a city police officer for purposes of fire suppression and fire prevention. S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110926\S1109263.doc