96 replies to this topic

[Robert Gary]

Hmmm, no. They're collecting the same or less as private company would.

Do you know if they charge for police service if you call 911 from your home (even if its less than that charge by private security companies)? Wouldn't it make as much sense?

BTW: I have a friend who is a retired fire battalion chief. He said that fire fighters *hate* crash taxes themselves and don't believe the fire departments should be charging people for public service.

-Robert

[Redone]

Do you know if they charge for police service if you call 911 from your home (even if its less than that charge by private security companies)? Wouldn't it make as much sense?

BTW: I have a friend who is a retired fire battalion chief. He said that fire fighters *hate* crash taxes themselves and don't believe the fire departments should be charging people for public service.

-Robert

You're story is confusing.

Did you receive service from a Fire ENGINE or an AMBULANCE ?

I am not agreeing with the charges also, merely pointing out that in this metropolis of 2 million people the Fire depts have been providing Ambulance service since September 1992. It's not new. It's also not a "crash tax" since those target out of towners only.

[jpow5]

It's too bad there wasn't more of an explanation of the charges on the bill. Perhaps the charges were not for the labor provided (which I think most of us agree is paid with our taxes) but rather for materials used during the call and for cleaning/sanitizing after the call? Granted $1751 still sounds like a lot for some gloves, gauze, etc that might be used in a minor accident. But if a person is transported, then I could see it getting a little higher with possible IV, etc.

[Robert Gary]

You're story is confusing.

Did you receive service from a Fire ENGINE or an AMBULANCE ?

I am not agreeing with the charges also, merely pointing out that in this metropolis of 2 million people the Fire depts have been providing Ambulance service since September 1992. It's not new. It's also not a "crash tax" since those target out of towners only.

I'm not sure how I would know if the bill was for the engine or the paramedic. There is no itemization whatsoever on the bill. The only hint is that it says "Folsom Fire" on the top, and then asks me to send a check to some unknown processing company.

-Robert

It's too bad there wasn't more of an explanation of the charges on the bill. Perhaps the charges were not for the labor provided (which I think most of us agree is paid with our taxes) but rather for materials used during the call and for cleaning/sanitizing after the call? Granted $1751 still sounds like a lot for some gloves, gauze, etc that might be used in a minor accident. But if a person is transported, then I could see it getting a little higher with possible IV, etc.

Possibly, but the fact that both my son and his friend received a bill for the exact same amount leads me to believe its a fixed fee.

-Robert

[Redone]

I'm not sure how I would know if the bill was for the engine or the paramedic. There is no itemization whatsoever on the bill. The only hint is that it says "Folsom Fire" on the top, and then asks me to send a check to some unknown processing company.

If you they weren't transported, then there shouldn't be a bill.

[ambrno33]

I had the paramedics called on my behalf once when I was a student at Sac State. I didn't need care (passed out from not eating breakfast), and they left only taking my blood sugar and my name/phone number. My parents got a bill for around $500 for the same type of thing. The bill even said "while you may not have called for emergency service yourself, be happy that someone did in case it was an emergency".
We sent it to insurance and they took care of the whole thing.

[Robert Gary]

I had the paramedics called on my behalf once when I was a student at Sac State.

Just curious. Paramedics or ambulance?

-Robert

[ambrno33]

Just curious. Paramedics or ambulance?

-Robert

I'm not positive because I never saw the vehicle... but I think that the bill was for an ambulance responding to the scene.

[Robert Gary]

I'm not positive because I never saw the vehicle... but I think that the bill was for an ambulance responding to the scene.

Makes sense. An ambulance is part of a for-profit company and staffed by EMTs (basically a semester at community college). A paramedic unit is part of the fire department and is staffed by fire fighters.

-Robert

[MikeinFolsom]

I just got my crash tax bill from the Folsom Fire department as a result of my son's car accident last month. The bill really doesn't say anything on it, just pay $1751. My son's friend who was in the car with him at the accident said he also got the same bill for the same amount; again, nothing detailed. So do they just charge a flat fee for responding to the accident and then split it between those in the accident? I don't understand how they arrived at the number they did.
I know now that if I'm ever in an accident, and no one is hurt, I'm going to recommend we drive over to Starbucks to exchange information before the fire department shows up and starts handing out bills.

-Robert

You only get billed if you're transported.

[tsukiji]

You only get billed if you're transported.

They have a transporter? No wonder they're out of money!

I'd like to have a transporter - be great for commuting from Hawaii.

[Redone]

They have a transporter? No wonder they're out of money!

I'd like to have a transporter - be great for commuting from Hawaii.

You mean teleport ?

[Robert Gary]

You only get billed if you're transported.

Its hard to know since the bill just says 'pay $1700'. It doesn't give any indication of what its for or what triggers it. If I'm in a car accident and not hurt I'm going to tell the Folsom Fire guys that I don't want a bill so don't do what ever it is that causes you to bill me. Even if I am hurt a little bit I can usually get into my primary that day or the next at a fraction of the cost of Folsom Fire. As consumers shouldn't we be informed of the cost of the service before its rendered if possible? Maybe Folsom Fire can carry menus with prices.

-Robert

[Robert Gary]

Interesting article from 2010 about the growing epidemic of crash taxes. The state senate stuck down bill SB 49that would have outlawed crash taxes in California.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/fire-department-bills-basic-services-horrify-residents-insurance/story?id=9736696

-Robert