FIRE SERVICE CHARGES EFFECTIVE FROM THE 1ST JUNE 2012
| 1 | Chimney Fires | €300 Flat Rate per Call |
| 2 | Domestic Incidents | €400 per hour (Minimum of €400) (Maximum of €1,500) |
| 3 | Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) | Actual Cost Inclusive of Overheads |
| 4 | Incidents Involving Commercial Premises, Industrial, Assembly & Recreational & Institutions | Actual Cost Inclusive of Overheads |
| 5 | All other Fires and Services (Excluding RTAs) | Actual Cost Inclusive of Overheads |
| 6 | False Alarm Activations | Actual Cost Inclusive of Overheads |
| 7 | Equipment/Services Where a charge has been incurred by the Council for the supply of equipment and/or services that is beyond the normal working capabilities of the Fire Service, that charge will be passed onto the persons benefiting from the service. | Cost of Equipment/ Services Incurred by the Council |
| 8 | Other Local Authority | Actual Cost Inclusive of Overheads |
| 9 | Letter/Certificate issued to applicants or applicants Solicitor under Section 24, Fire Services Act, 1981 | €250 |
Notes:
1. Road Traffic Accidents - It is not the role of this Fire Authority to determine fault, all vehicles at the scene are billed for the amount due. Payment from the party at fault will remove liability for the payment of charges from the other parties invoiced.
2. Duration of Incident– Attendance at incidents are charged from the time of mobilisation to the time of return to the fire station and close down. While incidents appear of short duration, certain incidents require equipment to be restored to operational readiness upon return to station. This time is included in the incident cost.
3. Insurance - You may be insured against the cost incurred resulting from fire brigade attendance. You should contact your insurance company who will advise you. Contact details of the main insurance companies are detailed below:
| Allianz | 1890 779 999 |
| Zurich Ireland | 1890 208 408 |
| FBD | 1890 953 953 |
| Liberty Insurance | 1850 858 530 |
| AXA | 1890 247 365 |
| RSA | 1890 924 228 1890 290 100 |
| Aviva | 1890 666 888 |
4. Hardship Cases
Definition of Hardship
There is no overarching definition of “hardship” and, as such, it is a matter for Offaly County Council to consider the merits of each case that comes before it. The claimant is the person best placed to set out the circumstances relating to their claim of hardship and, while the local authority may assist in suggesting the types of documents or other evidence to support the claim, it is principally a matter for the claimant to put their case forward, supported with appropriate evidential material.
Application for Waiver
The initial step in this process is for the person to formally apply to the Chief Fire Officer, Central Fire Station, Tullamore, Co. Offaly in writing explaining the rationale for a claim of hardship with accompanying documentation viz bank account statements, statement from accountant, determination of hardship by another public body, welfare receipts, etc.. It is a matter for Offaly County Council to determine, having regard to the documentation submitted (and any other relevant information provided or requested), if the applicant has established genuine hardship. Application for waivers cannot be made by telephone.
Where hardship is accepted
Where hardship is accepted by Offaly County Council, the claimant shall be informed accordingly and a payment plan put in place. This payment plan can be agreed over the phone or such other medium as long as it is ultimately confirmed in writing. The Council may also agree to meet with the claimant, if requested to do so. In general, a payment plan shall be designed to ensure that the liability is discharged as early as possible and in a timeline that the claimant can reasonably achieve.
As a general rule, however, it will be desirable that the liability to the shall be discharged over a maximum of 3 years.,
Further Appeal
Should an initial claim be rejected by the Council, the claimant should be informed as soon as possible and should be afforded, if requested, a further appeal to the Director of Services, Transportation and Emergency Service & Information Systems. Should a subsequent appeal be unsuccessful the complainant should be notified as early as is possible.
Where hardship is not accepted
Where hardship is not accepted by the local authority, the claimant should be notified accordingly as soon as possible and any necessary follow-up action initiated.
5. Correspondence - All correspondence must be in writing
