Dubliners ignore fire service call-out charge

HARD-pressed homeowners and motorists in Dublin are ignoring a controversial fire service call-out fee in their droves.

Dublin City Council had hoped to help offset its budget problems with the charge that was introduced in January but it seems that householders are turning a blind eye to invoices.

Northside People has learned that two thirds of fees are still outstanding as the council has collected just

?¬102,260 out of

?¬300,765 accrued so far.

Fees for fire services came into force on January 16 to include call-outs and fire fighting services for domestic premises and road traffic accidents.

The unpopular charges demand that householders pay fees of e500 for the first hour Dublin Fire Brigade attends a blaze.

The

?¬500 levy also applies when the fire officers are called to tackle a chimney fire or false alarm.

The fee rises to

?¬610 for the first hour attending a road traffic incident. And for every subsequent hour charges of

?¬450 to

?¬485 apply for each tender.

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said:

“Reminders are sent to any outstanding invoices and in some cases arrangements have been put in place for people to pay in installments

?.

An appeal system is also in place for cases of hardship.

Most home insurance policies cover fire call-out charges and in such cases householders can recoup the charge under their policies.

No charges are imposed on residents in council owned properties.

Local authorities came in for a backlash when the emergency service call-out fee was introduced.

Many feared it would make members of the public more hesitant to call for assistance.

SIPTU officials are worried that the prospect of a hefty bill could influence how many and how quickly people call for assistance in a genuine emergency.

“We think it’s regressive and we think it’ll change human behaviour which will put firefighters at risk,

? a SIPTU spokesperson said earlier this year.

“If an elderly person senses that they have a small house fire and they know they’re going to be charged, they might delay the call and endanger the house and property, and the health of the firefighter who comes later to fight the fire.

“Someone might wonder that if they see a road traffic accident and ring 999 will they be liable for the charge.

?

Dublin City Council urges members of the public to continue to call for fire brigade assistance as normal and as early as possible.

From January to September of this year, a total of 67,242 calls were placed with the Dublin Fire Brigade seeking the assistance of fire, emergency ambulance and rescue services.