WOOLWICH TWP. – The introduction of an ordinance to establish charges for the use of emergency and non-emergency services by the Woolwich Fire Company has been tabled but
residents have raised concerns about this ordinance, worried that they will be billed directly by the fire company.
Residents feel that their tax dollars should be used for this instead.
Both Woolwich Township Mayor Natalie Matthias and Swedesboro Mayor Tom Fromm, who said the borough is working on their own billing ordinance, emphasized that there would be no charge to residents. The resident’s insurance company would be billed only if there was a claim filed.
Fromm stated that auto and homeowner insurance companies are familiar with these types of charges, and they routinely pay for them in numerous other towns, including at least Logan and West Deptford locally.
This ordinance would be considered a potential new revenue source for the volunteer fire company. “Both Swedesboro and Woolwich face state-imposed caps on municipal contributions, while the fire company’s needs have grown due to aging equipment and a significant increase in call volume,” stated Matthias.
Here is a brief summary of the charges listed in the ordinance as written:
Motor vehicle charges range from $602 for normal responses to $1,811 for extrications.
Hazmat charges range from $972 to $8,199.
Accidental fires as well as illegal fires range from $544 to $693 per hour per engine.
There would be a fee charged for false alarms, but property owners will not be charged for the first two false alarms within a calendar year.
Water incidents range for $554 plus $68 per hour per rescue person to $2,747 plus $68 per hour per rescue person, and $134 per hour per HAZMAT team member.
Back country rescue charges start at $554 plus $68 per hour, per rescue person.
The fire chief’s response would be $347 per hour. This includes setting up of command and providing direction for the incident.
There are charges for additional time on scene with engines billed at $554 per hour, trucks billed at $693 per hour, and miscellaneous equipment billed at $416.
According to the ordinance, these average mitigation rates are determined by itemizing costs for a typical run and are based on actual costs and labor rates.
To view a copy of the 2025-02 ordinance, visit https://woolwichtwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1-6-25-abridged-agenda.pdf.
By Karen E. Viereck Editor/Publisher
