Some residents in the East Bay are going to have to pay for emergency fire services that millions of people get for free.
Within a few months, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District will start charging when they respond to car accidents, hazmat situations, illegal fires and water emergencies.
They’re calling it the Cost Recovery Program. The charges range from several hundred dollars, to thousands of dollars for complex incidents.
For example, the fee for a car accident will be $487 dollars per engine, per hour.
“It’s definitely crazy to charge people,” said Neeka B. “That’s gotten into accidents and stuff. That’s outrageous.”
Many people feel the same way.
“I can’t say I’m happy with it,” said Jeanette Parks of Brentwood.
“They should collect it some other way, not on the backs of me being hurt when needing the service,” said Crystal Ramie-Adams.