With the new year a month away, the Stillwater Fire Department (SFD) encourages residents who live outside corporate city limits to renew or apply for the 2018 Rural Fire Service Contract.
The contract ensures the response fee per fire incident on a contracted property is capped at $2,000. Properties that are not contracted with the fire department have no limit on a maximum charge for emergency response.
“It is conceivable that properties that are not a member of the contract program could see bills that exceed $4,000 to $5,000 for fire service,” Fire Chief Tom Bradley said.
The contract fee for renewals and new applicants is $100 and covers the calendar year. There is a one-time notarization of applications for new applicants. All residents renewing their applications must file a new application for 2018, also.
The rates for the contract and fire service have not changed since they were implemented six years ago.
Participating in the program is not required and is a decision that is strictly up to the property owner. Chief Bradley said he feels residents should take advantage of this opportunity because it ensures contract holders a set range for fire service fees should a fire take place.
He also said that all contract fees are used to help provide services for residents.
“Any money collected is earmarked and used to purchase equipment like tools for rescue and other fire equipment,” Chief Bradley explained.
Chief Bradley said the SFD does not bill for good intent alarms and determines when to require fees based on whether firefighters provide services.
The contract begins on Jan. 1, 2018, and runs through Dec. 31, 2018. SFD offers this contract to property owners who live outside city limits and are within the SFD response area. If you are unsure if your property resides in our response area please contact our office and we can assist in determining which fire department response area the property is within.
Residents can apply for the contract at any time. The $100 fee will not be prorated and will cover that resident’s property for the remainder of 2018.
For applications and more information about the Rural Fire Service Contract, contact Stillwater Fire Administration at 405.742.8308 or go to http://stillwater.org/page/
