POLSON – The Polson Rural Fire Board has voted to charge a fee when it responds to motor vehicle crashes.
The board voted 5-0 in favor of a fee structure that matches the rates of the Bigfork Rural Fire District.
Charges will range from $500 to $1,750, with the lowest fee covering less than an hour on the scene. The highest level would be charged in the case of a crash involving extrication from a vehicle and with more than an hour on-scene time.
John Fairchild is the chief of both the Polson Volunteer Fire Department and the Polson Rural Fire Department. He has argued the fee is needed because taxpayers pay for fire protection, not department response to vehicle crashes.