The International Association of Fire Chiefs and Fire Recovery USA have developed an initiative to inform fire departments about one option for offsetting the costs of emergency responses.

Cost recovery is one measure that fire departments and their cities and counties are adopting to avoid levying taxes or decreasing service levels. These departments are filing claims against the at-fault driver in motor vehicle accidents to reimburse the fire department for the cost of emergency responses.

Although the process may vary depending on the applicable state law, generally the fire department's city or county will adopt an ordinance that sets forth the terms of their cost-recovery program. The fire department then has the authority to file claims for their emergency response services.

Fire Recovery USA pursues claims against those individuals who are at fault or create the need for an emergency response by a fire department to a qualifying event. Most of the claims are made against nonresident at-fault drivers. Most claims are less than $450 and are limited to the costs actually incurred by the fire department in the emergency response.

To learn more, visit the IAFC's cost recovery site or Fire Recovery USA. If you have questions about this new initiative, contact Terry Monroe at the IAFC or Mike Rivera at Fire Recovery USA.