Copyright 2006 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.
By DOUG PAGE
Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
PIQUA, Ohio — The city has found a way to generate money — likely for the fire department.
The city will begin billing insurance companies for ambulance runs. Fire Chief Gary Connell emphasized that only insurance companies, not individuals, would be billed.
“We’re the last community in the area not to bill,” he said. “I estimate we might see $300,000 to $500,000 in recovered costs.”
The City Commission heard a first reading May 15 of an ordinance to enable billing, through a third party. Commissioners asked Connell to come to the next meeting with a more detailed billing schedule.
The commission would ultimately decide how the money should be spent. Connell said the department made 2,990 ambulance runs in 2005 and 1,186 through April. Connell said the money could be used to add personnel, maintain and replace equipment or for a fire substation.