Some Cities, Desperate for Funds, Turn Their Fire Departments Into Revenue Machines

Imagine that you're in a traffic accident, that's not even your fault, and an ambulance, police, and fire units respond. A few months later you get a bill. A bill for ambulance transport is not unusual, but in these days of economic crises and collapsing budgets, many cities now send out bills for the fire department response, too, to try to reduce their own costs. Police and fire departments are doing this in at least 26 states, says the Property Casualty Insurers Association, which opposes such fees. The AAA also opposes the fees. Jill Ingrassia, the AAA's managing director for government relations and safety advocacy told the New York Times that, "Generally, we see that public safety services are a core government function that should be properly budgeted for with general taxes and not addressed by fees after the fact." Bill collecting agencies, such as Cost Recovery of Dayton, Ohio, are all over the practice, however, since they get a portion, generally 10 percent, of any bills successfully collected, which makes the entire practice suspect.

Meanwhile, the disintegration continues, as the following developments indicate:

Anchorage, AK - Early budget projections suggest 7.5 percent cuts across all city departments for the next budget. For the fire department, this could mean 37 positions eliminated and three rigs shut down. For the police department such cuts could result in scores of layoffs.

Long Beach, CA - The police union will not agree to a request from the city council that they forego a pay raise to help balance the budget. They already agreed to such a request, last year, and don't want to ask their members to do it again. This means that up to 76 police officers could be laid off in the budget that takes effect Oct. 1.

Cape Coral, FL - The city manager told the police and fire departments that they have to cut $4 million from their budgets to help balance the city budget by Oct. 1. Payroll reductions in the sewer and water departments of $1.33 million are also part of the plan.

Miami, FL - The police union is suing the city over pay cuts that were recently imposed of from 5 to 12 percent. City officials say it's either the pay cuts or massive layoffs to close a $105 million budget gap.

Clarkston, MI - This tiny suburb of Detroit shut down its police department on Sept. 3 and turned over law enforcement functions to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Hoboken, NJ - The city council tabled a resolution opposing the mayor's plan to lay off 18 police officers and demote 19 others, in a 5-4 vote on Sept. 1. Approximately 200 people showed up for the city council hearing to speak against the cuts. The mayor responded to the resolution by calling it "a patent attempt to usurp the role of the administration."

Port Orchard, WA - The Kitsap County sheriff is warning that the 7 to 9 percent cuts being contemplated by the county administration could result in an "open door for criminals." The best case scenario is that his department could lose 16 deputies and 9 jail guards.

Lynnwood, WA - The city sent notifications to 102 of its 460 employees that they are on the list for possible staff reductions to take effect in January, to close a $20 million budget gap. The police department faces the loss of 34 positions and the fire department may have to close a fire house.

Dallas, TX - The police and fire unions agreed on Sept. 1 to take pay cuts and mandatory unpaid leave to save the city $22.4 million, a big chunk of the $130 million budget gap the city has to close.