TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa City Council approved an ordinance change allowing the Tulsa Fire Department to bill drivers for responses to certain car crashes.
Deputy Fire Chief Doug Carner told councilors the move is expected to generate at least $1.1 million in reimbursements for the city’s general fund, NewsOn6 reported.
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Fire Chief Michael Baker said the department responds to about 4,400 crashes a year, and the new billing plan grew out of efforts to relieve pressure on the department’s budget.
Bills will be sent only to the insurance companies of drivers found at fault, not to the drivers themselves, and the city won’t pursue payment from uninsured individuals. Carner said about half of the billed claims are paid. The ordinance outlines four response levels, with fees from $710 to $1,865 based on the complexity of the incident.
The fire department must finalize a contract with a third-party billing company. The earliest the billing program could begin is Jan. 1, 2026.
Does your fire department bill for MVC responses? Has it helped?
EMS1 readers respond
“I’m a chief at a small county department. We’ve been billing MVA insurance companies for several years on those accidents that are non-resident. It’s a way to repay for our expenses.”
“We at our EMS have considered billing for MVC.”
“All this, and you self-dispatch to all MVCs? Gee, talk about a perfect fund-raising plan … I suspect insurance companies will catch on, and request dispatch records to find reason FD was dispatched other protocol.”
