In a split second, your entire life could change in a car crash. You never know when it is going to happen.
If you ended up in a bad accident, you would expect emergency crews to be there to help.
But in Fallbrook, the firefighter's assistance will soon come with a bill to your insurance company.
Starting by the end of the month, fire crews will charge the insurance company of the driver found to be at fault between $435-$2,100 for their services.
"People are always wanting the same thing. The same number of stations and the same number of manpower. This is how we are able to help subsidize the cost," said North County Fire spokesman John Buchanan.
"Would you rather have fire stations closed that are in your area? For example, if you had a heart attack and the fire station nearby was closed because of budget cuts," he asked.
Buchanan said the move will likely generate $144,000 in additional revenues. He said the department badly needs it with a hiring freeze currently in effect and the loss of nearly $400,000 in property tax revenues.
Buchanan added that firefighters already have the power to charge those who start fires intentionally or those who spill hazardous materials.
"Car crashes are preventable, we have two people trying to occupy the same space at the same time. One of them is not always paying attention" Buchanan said.
The fees will be as follows, according to Buchanan:
- Level 1- $440- Most accidents, where someone is hurt or transferred to the hospital
- Level 2- $495- Fire department uses absorbant
- Level 3- $600- Car fire or where foam suppressant is needed
- Level 4-$1,800- Large crash, several fire trucks, severe injuries, jaws of life are needed
- Level 5- $2,100- Large crash, lengthy extrication, Mercy Air called in
Buchanan made clear that individuals will not be sent bills. "The people will never get the bill, it will go directly to the insurance companies."
What about the uninsured? "From my understanding, if I don't have insurance, the police or law enforcement agency has the right to impound my car," Buchanan said.
State Farm insurance spokesman Mike Rossman said the cost could be passed on to the customer. "Anything that has potential to increase expenses for a given area, definitely has the potential to therefore increase rates."
Rossman thinks it is unfair to ask "legal drivers" to pay, but not those without insurance. "That person who is driving without insurance is left alone and not asked to pay."
Fallbrook resident Lisa Speer-Heut works in emergency medicine and often see the car crash victims. She is skeptical about this plan."I understand why they are doing it...we are in a financial crisis...[But] its difficult when they've already been in an accident to pay the cost of emergency transit they could have never imagined they would be taking."
Speer-Heut said she believed insurance companies would try and raise rates to make up for it, or say such transportation was not covered under their plan.
Now that her fellow Fallbrook resident, James Hamby, is retired, he is especially concerned his rates will go up. "More of a burden on taxpayers, more on me. It's just too much money."
Other cities have tried this around the country, including Hemet, CA.
Although Fallbrook is the first city in San Diego County to try this plan, with budget cuts only intensifying, it may not be the last.
