emergency service charges

EDITORIAL: CHARGING VICTIMS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE

 

By Miriam Raftery, Editor

January 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection Board wants to charge drivers who cause accidents for costs of emergency services—fees estimated at up to $2,100. Director Karrie Johnston says she wants to hold “irresponsible” people responsible for costs of public safety services.

What’s next? If you’re “irresponsible” and ignore doctor’s orders to lose weight, shall ambulance companies charge you for paramedic services if you have a heart attack or stroke? How about people with old wiring in their homes, or those are “irresponsible” by causing a cooking fire? Shall we force them to pay for firefighters to save their home?


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