HARTFORD TO CHARGE INSURERS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

Fire protection and medical help remains free, but the Hartford, Conn. Fire Department is set to begin charging insurers for other emergency services. The department will begin billing insurers for certain situations such as getting people out of crushed vehicles and handling hazardous material spills.

“We do have the funds to provide fire protection,” Fire Chief Charles Teale Sr. said. “But there’s not enough money to do (extrications and hazardous materials) safely and effectively.” Teale said the department is planning to charge between $350 and $750, depending on the type of emergency call. He said New London and Bridgeport have also begun billing for emergency responses.

The American Insurance Association’s David Snyder said the practice is unfair to motorists. “This raises profound questions for taxpayers as to what their tax dollars go for. If they don’t go for essential services, what is their money being spent on?” Snyder suggested.

In 2005, city firefighters responded to 37 highway accidents, according to department records. Hartford’s tactical rescue unit, which performs extrications and hazardous material cleanups, went on more than 4,500 calls alone in 2005, Teale said.