Fire brigade charges.

chefy

We had a fire in a hedge in Laois recently and received a bill for €2800. I've been out of work due to covid 19 and simply can't pay. What happens from here.

blackbox

chefy wrote: »

We had a fire in a hedge in Laois recently and received a bill for €2800. I've been out of work due to covid 19 and simply can't pay. What happens from here.

Will your house (or farm) insurance not cover it?

chefy

It's a rented property and have no insurance.

ohnonotgmail

the landlord might have insurance that covers it. have you asked them?

Rows Grower

Contact all your local TD's, explain your situation and ask them to make representations on your behalf.

chefy

The original bill was sent to the landlord and passed on to me.

Thanks for the advice on the TDs I'll try that as a last resort.

chefy

The original bill was sent to the landlord and passed on to me.

Thanks for the advice on the TDs I'll try that as a last resort.

DonalK1981

It's sad to think that the public services money doesn't cover the cost of these unless there is malice or arson involved...

un5byh7sqpd2x0

DonalK1981 wrote: »

It's sad to think that the public services money doesn't cover the cost of these unless there is malice or arson involved...

It does in some counties.

How did the fire start?
Was negligence or any messing involved

chefy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

How did the fire start?
Was negligence or any messing involved

Pure accident. Small clearing bonfire in purpose mabe bin. Sparks floated into the hedge and it caught fire over a few minutes.

chefy

chefy wrote: »

Pure accident. Small clearing bonfire in purpose mabe bin. Sparks floated into the hedge and it caught fire over a few minutes.

Maybe contact the fire brigade first and explain your financial situation and go from there. They might be able to point you in the right direction

Claw Hammer

chefy wrote: »

Pure accident. Small clearing bonfire in purpose mabe bin. Sparks floated into the hedge and it caught fire over a few minutes.

Accidents don't happen, they are caused. Your fire, your bill.

Muas Tenek

You could apply for a waiver from Laois County council. Download the waiver form from their website and apply.
They could give a percentage or complete waiver based on your income and ability to pay.
https://laois.ie/departments/fire-rescue/service-charges/

Mrs OBumble

Muas Tenek wrote: »

You could apply for a waiver from Laois County council. Download the waiver form from their website and apply.
They could give a percentage or complete waiver based on your income and ability to pay.
https://laois.ie/departments/fire-rescue/service-charges/

The OP's income is irrelevant. The liability for the bill is with the property owner.

Rows Grower

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The OP's income is irrelevant. The liability for the bill is with the property owner.

Don't think so, (in Kerry) the bill is sent to the person that makes the phone call.

Peintre Celebre

Rows Grower wrote: »

Don't think so, (in Kerry) the bill is sent to the person that makes the phone call.

This is one of the most stupid common misconceptions around.

You see a house on fire and you live opposite and ring it in. They do not send you the bill

Rows Grower

Peintre Celebre wrote: »

This is one of the most stupid common misconceptions around.

You see a house on fire and you live opposite and ring it in. They do not send you the bill

No, this is a fact in Kerry.

I know.

Peintre Celebre

Yeah I'm sure they do, if the caller is the person liable for the bill.

They don't hit a random passerby with a call out fee for ringing in a road traffic collision or house fire, for instance. If you think they do you are incorrect

the hedgeman

Rows Grower wrote: »

No, this is a fact in Kerry.

I know.

At car collisions where fire brigade are in attendance,both drivers get the same bill ,1 of the drivers did ring emergency services,someone has to pay usually the insurance company, this is in kerry

Rows Grower

Peintre Celebre wrote: »

Yeah I'm sure they do, if the caller is the person liable for the bill.

They don't hit a random passerby with a call out fee for ringing in a road traffic collision or house fire, for instance. If you think they do you are incorrect

I don't think they do, I know they do.

If you choose not to believe me that's your choice but you are wrong.

I know.

nuckeythompson

complete bullcrap - my cousin in tralee had a small fire in there back shed _ completely burned down
the next door neighbour called the FB as my cousin was at work- my cousin got the bill and not the neighbor who kindly called them.
if this was the case people would not call the FB in fear of getting a bill

Muas Tenek

The local authority will always try to bill the beneficial party. First port of call will be the landowner who can then send the bill on to the leaseholder (or whoever started the fire).
The OP was very unfortunate in this incident, but there are controlled burning rules in Ireland (for very good reasons) which require a license from the LA to burn.
Op unfortunately you will be held to pay this bill - but as I said you should apply for a waiver.

I needed the fire service last year and my bill was a few hundred. The local council offices were very helpful in setting up a monthly DD plan for me to suit my own terms. I wanted it payed off within a year, but by the sounds of it I could have made the payment over multiple years.

Contact your county council office, the relevant phone number will be on your bill, and explain the situation to them and see what they can do for you. Good luck.

Muas Tenek

Rows Grower wrote: »

Don't think so, (in Kerry) the bill is sent to the person that makes the phone call.

This is only true if the call is from beneficial recipient who is also the owner of the property.
If several people call in a fire they do not all receive a bill.
People should not be put off calling the Fire brigade when they see a fire or other incident because they are afraid they will get a bill.

Rows Grower

nuckeythompson wrote: »

complete bullcrap - my cousin in tralee had a small fire in there back shed _ completely burned down
the next door neighbour called the FB as my cousin was at work- my cousin got the bill and not the neighbor who kindly called them.
if this was the case people would not call the FB in fear of getting a bill

Okay I'm trying to tell you that I know from personal experience.

I've been told it's bullcrap and a stupid common misconception by people who think they know better, it is neither.

I know I am right, not because of what my cousin told me or what I read on the internet or heard from a fireman.

Maybe we should just agree to disagree on this.

Rows Grower

Muas Tenek wrote: »

This is only true if the call is from beneficial recipient who is also the owner of the property.
If several people call in a fire they do not all receive a bill.
People should not be put off calling the Fire brigade when they see a fire or other incident because they are afraid they will get a bill.

Incorrect.

I agree with the rest of your post.

kravmaga

chefy wrote: »

The original bill was sent to the landlord and passed on to me.

Thanks for the advice on the TDs I'll try that as a last resort.

Does the landlord have Insurance? Whoever has the insurance policy pays the bill.

Op, how can the bill be €2,800 ? In Dublin( all 4 councils) the call out fee is usually between €500 to €600 approx.

Where are they going with the €2,800??

wench

kravmaga wrote: »

Does the landlord have Insurance? Whoever has the insurance policy pays the bill.

Op, how can the bill be €2,800 ? In Dublin( all 4 councils) the call out fee is usually between €500 to €600 approx.

Where are they going with the €2,800??

Looks like some councils charge the actual cost rather than a flat fee
https://www.theaa.ie/blog/calling-end-fire-brigade-call-charges/

listermint

Rows Grower wrote: »

Incorrect.

I agree with the rest of your post.

Have you a link to Kerry's council rules in this. Cheers

Nigzcurran

listermint wrote: »

Have you a link to Kerry's council rules in this. Cheers

How could they? It dosnt exist in Kerry county council or any county council, utter nonsense

elperello

You need to check your insurance policy.

Some only pay for the fire service call out if there is a claim for damage caused by the fire.

Rows Grower

wench wrote: »

Looks like some councils charge the actual cost rather than a flat fee
https://www.theaa.ie/blog/calling-end-fire-brigade-call-charges/

I can confirm without fear of contradiction that the charges quoted for Kerry fire brigade in that link were still applicable at least until a couple of months ago.

L1011

Rows Grower wrote: »

I can confirm without fear of contradiction that the charges quoted for Kerry fire brigade in that link were still applicable at least until a couple of months ago.

But absolutely and utterly not charged to the person who calls it in. Who you may want to note is not even required to say who they are.

How on earth have you convinced yourself of this?

Saying "I know" does not provide even a shred of evidence.

Smee_Again

chefy wrote: »

We had a fire in a hedge in Laois recently and received a bill for €2800. I've been out of work due to covid 19 and simply can't pay. What happens from here.

How long were they there?

Charges are €500 per hour according to this.

https://www.kerrycoco.ie/environment/backyard-burning/

Rows Grower

L1011 wrote: »

But absolutely and utterly not charged to the person who calls it in. Who you may want to note is not even required to say who they are.

How on earth have you convinced yourself of this?

Saying "I know" does not provide even a shred of evidence.

Okay, I've made myself very clear in what I said.

You're another person who has chosen not to believe me, you believe what you want.

I'll say it again just in case you didn't comprehend what I meant, I know I am right.

I don't have to convince myself, I don't have to convince you either.

Now if you want a shred of evidence badly enough I'd be willing to provide it on condition you wager the price on the invoice I have here in front of me (that was sent to me within the last couple of months) that I am telling the truth.

The bill is for 100 euro, it's got my name on it. There are a couple of mods on here that I'm sure you trust that know 100% who I am.

Just to be crystal clear on what I am telling you, I made a call to Kerry Fire Service, I explained the situation and also explained that I was an observer of an incident that needed the services of the Fire Brigade, my name was asked for, I was asked to confirm the number I was calling from, my phone number was then called back out to me by the person taking the call. I again explained that it was not my house, but it was an emergency that needed the Fire Brigade immediately.

One month and one day after the incident I got a bill in my name delivered to me by post for 100 euro, the date of the incident, as well as the exact time to the minute, that the Fire Brigade were in attendance is here in front of me. The location of the fire is on the invoice, it is not my address, I live 6 km's away.

Feel free to send me a pm if you want proof and we'll take it from there and report back here when all is settled.

TheChizler

Did you pay that bill? You haven't benefited from the service in any way I don't see what legal obligation you'd have to pay it. Sounds like someone in the office messed up.

Stihl waters

@ rows grower. You may have got the bill, you don't have to pay it, you can't be that dense surely. A clerical error is the most likely scenario

Stihl waters

Rows Grower wrote: »

Okay I'm trying to tell you that I know from personal experience.

Maybe we should just agree to disagree on this.

Let's everyone else agree that you're wrong, that we can agree on

beachhead

L1011 wrote: »

But absolutely and utterly not charged to the person who calls it in. Who you may want to note is not even required to say who they are.

How on earth have you convinced yourself of this?

Saying "I know" does not provide even a shred of evidence.

If,you call an emergency number for example 999 or 112 you location is traced and recorded for future reference by the particular service.They do not need your name.You can avoid being traced by using a burner phone,of course if inclined.

yenom

I have heard the story about the neighbours being charged but I don't believe it because it would pop up on google as a news story. It would also be constantly debated politically. If anyone has evidence it would be appreciated.

the hedgeman

Rows Grower wrote: »

Okay, I've made myself very clear in what I said.

You're another person who has chosen not to believe me, you believe what you want.

I'll say it again just in case you didn't comprehend what I meant, I know I am right.

I don't have to convince myself, I don't have to convince you either.

Now if you want a shred of evidence badly enough I'd be willing to provide it on condition you wager the price on the invoice I have here in front of me (that was sent to me within the last couple of months) that I am telling the truth.

The bill is for 100 euro, it's got my name on it. There are a couple of mods on here that I'm sure you trust that know 100% who I am.

Just to be crystal clear on what I am telling you, I made a call to Kerry Fire Service, I explained the situation and also explained that I was an observer of an incident that needed the services of the Fire Brigade, my name was asked for, I was asked to confirm the number I was calling from, my phone number was then called back out to me by the person taking the call. I again explained that it was not my house, but it was an emergency that needed the Fire Brigade immediately.

One month and one day after the incident I got a bill in my name delivered to me by post for 100 euro, the date of the incident, as well as the exact time to the minute, that the Fire Brigade were in attendance is here in front of me. The location of the fire is on the invoice, it is not my address, I live 6 km's away.

Feel free to send me a pm if you want proof and we'll take it from there and report back here when all is settled.

Your not the only person liable for the bill as the householder will also get a bill and be also liable to pay

Rows Grower

the hedgeman wrote: »

Your not the only person liable for the bill as the householder will also get a bill and be also liable to pay

I have no reason to doubt that hedgeman.

elperello

I think these charges should be abolished.

Anything that makes people delay calling emergency services has the potential to cause death or injury.

It would be better to fund the services from the LPT as a public service so that they are available to all.

the hedgeman

Rows Grower wrote: »

I have no reason to doubt that hedgeman.

Both the bills will have the same invoice number as well

I live in Louth. I've never heard of the Fire Brigade charging anyone for a callout, there is no charge as far as I know, to the general public.

That said, and I'm wandering into anecdotal territory here, i have heard that they will send a bill out to an address if there is a fire that has in any way damaged a building, as buildings generally have insurance on them. The idea is that you make a claim and the insurance company will pay the Council (an inflated amount, I'm sure). However, if you ring up the Council and tell them you don't have insurance, they just waive it, as they don't expect the average joe soap to pay for the service.


Much like the HSE don't charge you for an XRay if you've to go to A+E, but if you have insurance, or it was part of a crash or such and there's an insurance company taking responsibility, all of a sudden these things get charged for.


Also, Rows Grower, if you got a bill it was an error. The beneficiary is the only person ever sent a bill. If the person that made the call was the responsible party, all across the country fire trucks would be covered in cobwebs and dust.

Rows Grower

the hedgeman wrote: »

Both the bills will have the same invoice number as well

I not only have an invoice number, it has a customer number as well.

L1011

You got sent a bill in error, that's all. You can continue to believe otherwise but you have zero liability

Atlantic Dawn

A proportion of property tax should be ringfenced for callouts on residential properties.

Mellor

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The OP's income is irrelevant. The liability for the bill is with the property owner.

That really depends on how the fire was caused.

kravmaga wrote: »

Does the landlord have Insurance? Whoever has the insurance policy pays the bill.

That only applies if the person with the insurance is liable.
Nobody is just going to gift a free claim because they have insurance

Pkiernan

chefy wrote: »

Pure accident. Small clearing bonfire in purpose mabe bin. Sparks floated into the hedge and it caught fire over a few minutes.

So it was negligence then.