fire department visit cost

Does the Fire Department Charge to Come Out? (Or Bill You)

Imagine you are cooking dinner and suddenly a fire breaks out in your kitchen. You grab your family and run outside, but you are not sure what to do next because of the potential costs involved.

Will you get billed for calling the fire department? Does the fire department charge you to come out? Or will the firefighters perform fire services for free?

These are important questions you may not have time to think about in an emergency. In this article, we will explain how fire service charges work, how departments are funded, and ways to prevent bills for emergency services and false alarms.

Let’s get into it.

Does the Fire Department Charge You to Come Out?

Most public fire departments do not charge you to respond to an emergency because fire services are funded by tax revenue. However, some private fire departments or fire protection districts may charge you a fee for their services as part of an annual subscription or on an as-needed basis.

The exception to this policy for public fire departments is that you will get charged for transport to the hospital, which gets billed to your insurance. If your insurance does not cover the transport fee, or you do not have an insurance plan, then you must pay the bill out of pocket in full.

Do You Get Billed for Calling the Fire Department?

Calling the fire department is free and there is no cost or bill associated with the call. In the United States, emergency response services are paid for by the state or county budget which is funded by the residents’ taxes.

Note: Complete details about all fire department charges will be explained throughout the rest of this guide about getting billed for the fire truck coming to your house, putting out a fire, or a related concern. You should also check the policies and practices of your local fire department before calling them, or ask the firefighters about any potential charges when they arrive so no unexpected charges occur.

Does the Fire Department Charge for a False Alarm?

Most fire departments do not charge for responding to false alarms; however, habitual false alarms at the same location may be billed. The cost of a false alarm can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the location and the number of false alarms.

For example, the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia has a strict policy in place for false alarms. Below is an example of those charges and how they are applied when the fire truck comes out to your house or business.

False Alarm Fees

There are two free false alarms allowed per calendar year. After that, the following fee schedule applies.

Residential

• Third alarm ($100): The fee escalates by $50 per activation
• Ninth alarm: The fee escalates by $100 per activation
• Fifteenth alarm: The fee is $1,000 per activation
• Third alarm ($100): The fee escalates by $100 per activation
• Twelfth alarm: The fee escalates by $250 per activation
• Sixteenth alarm: The fee escalates by $500 per activation
• Twentieth alarm: The fee is $4,000 per activation

Each city and county in the United States is different in how it handles false alarm fees. Check your locality for specific details.

Fire Department Types and Costs: A Breakdown

Fire protection comes in various forms, each with its own funding structure and potential costs. Here’s a breakdown of the three main types of fire departments and their fee structures:

Private Fire Departments

Private fire departments are for-profit companies offering fire protection services to communities or individual properties, typically located in areas not served by public fire departments.

Cost:  Private fire departments charge subscription fees to the properties they serve. These fees can vary based on factors like property size, type, and fire risk. Some may also charge additional fees for specific services to come out to your house, like fire inspections or false alarms.

Fire Department Districts

Fire department districts are special districts formed to provide fire protection services to a specific geographic area. They have their own elected boards and operate independently of municipal governments.

Cost:  Funding for fire department districts comes from property taxes levied within the district’s boundaries. Some districts may also charge additional fees for specific services or false alarms.

Volunteer Fire Departments

Volunteer fire departments rely on volunteers to respond to emergencies. They are often found in smaller communities or rural areas.

Cost:  Funding sources for volunteer fire departments vary, but they may receive some funding from local governments, donations, or fundraising events. Some volunteer departments might charge minimal fees for false alarms or specific services to come out to your house.

How Much Are Paid Fire Service Charges?

Paid fire services range from $150 to $200 for an annual subscription based on the square footage of the house and property being protected. This fee is paid to the private fire department that services your local area.

An example of an annual subscription fee for paid fire services is $196 per year for up to 1,400 square feet of property protection by the Regional Fire & Rescue Department , which services Pinal County, Arizona. Subscribers pre-pay an annual fee to avoid unexpected charges should a fire-related emergency occur at the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the fire department charge you to check for carbon monoxide.

Generally, no. Most fire departments respond to carbon monoxide alarms or suspected leaks free of charge as it’s a public safety concern. However, some areas might charge for repeated false alarms if the leak wasn’t present.

Does the fire department charge you for ambulance transport?

Often yes. Ambulance services are typically separate from fire departments and may charge for transport, even in emergencies. Basic life support transport costs around $500. Check with your local ambulance provider for specific fees and insurance coverage options.

Does the fire department charge you to unlock your car?

Usually not; however, fire departments prioritize emergencies and typically will not unlock cars unless it involves a life-threatening situation or a child trapped inside.

How do I pay for the fire department services?

If you are charged for the fire department services, you will receive a bill or an invoice from the fire department or a third-party billing company. You can pay the bill by mail, online, or over the phone, depending on the payment options available.

What if I can’t afford to pay for the fire department services?

If you are unable to pay for the fire department services, you may be eligible for financial assistance or hardship programs, depending on your income and situation. You may also be able to negotiate a payment plan or a settlement with the fire department or the billing company.

If you cannot afford to pay the fire service bill, you should contact the fire department or the billing company as soon as possible to discuss your options and avoid late fees or collection actions.

What happens if you don’t pay the fire department bill?

Consequences vary by location for not paying the fire department bill. It could involve late fees, collection actions, or even legal repercussions. Always contact the fire department directly to discuss payment options and avoid potential issues.

Can I contest a false alarm fee?

In some cases, yes, you can contest a false alarm fee. If you believe the false alarm was not your fault (e.g., power outage triggered the alarm), you might be able to appeal the fee. Contact your local fire department for details on their appeal process.

What are some ways to avoid false alarm fees?

• Regularly maintain your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to prevent malfunctions.
• Educate family members about proper alarm operation and test procedures.
• Never pull a fire alarm without a valid reason.
• If you accidentally trigger a fire alarm, immediately contact the fire department to cancel the response.

Final Comments on Fire Department Charges

This article was meant to be a general guide for answering the question about how much does the fire department charge you to come out to your house or business to respond to an emergency or false alarm. As you discovered, fire service charges vary depending on the type of fire department that responds, public or private, and if there are habitual false alarms at the same residence.

Remember: Always prioritize safety and call the fire department in emergencies. However, be aware of your local policies regarding charges for non-emergency calls or specific services. We advise you to contact your local fire department with any questions or concerns about their fees and procedures.

Fireproof Depot

Sharing valuable information and resources on fire safety awareness and prevention measures for homeowners and aspiring firefighters.

Privacy Policy

Affiliate Disclaimer

Safety and Prevention

F ire Science

Firefighters

© 2021 - 2024 FIREPROOFDEPOT • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Does 911 Cost Money? The Price of Emergency Calls

Many countries have an emergency phone number that can be called by anyone needing immediate assistance. In the US and Canada, the number to call for emergencies is 911. (Other countries use different emergency numbers, see below). You are probably wondering if you will get charged for calling 911 and how much?

In the US and Canada, when you call 911 for an emergency you will usually not get charged just for calling. Police and firefighter services are usually paid for by taxes and do not bill you for responding. However, in many areas, you will get a bill for ambulance transport services.

When you need to call 911, it is usually a very stressful time and the last thing you should worry about is money. However, you should be informed of how the 911 process works and when you may be required to pay for it. Keep reading for more information about when you may get a bill.

Your # 1 priority is keeping your family safe.  As a firefighter, I recommend everyone has updated smoke detectors that don’t require battery changes, like these ones from Kidde , a fire extinguisher, like this one from Amerex , and a fire escape ladder if you have bedrooms above the first floor, I recommend this one from Hausse.

Also read: How Much Do Firefighters Make? Average Salaries By State 2022

Will I Get Charged for Calling 911?

In the United States, when you call 911, your call is sent to a dispatch center. This is done based on the location of your landline or which cell tower your phone signal hits when you call. The closest dispatch center will get the call and a 911 operator will answer.

They will ask you a bunch of questions about what the emergency is, where you are, etc., so they can determine what type of help you need. They will send out firefighters, police officers, ambulances, or a combination of these, depending on the emergency.

The closest units can be right around the corner or miles away, this will vary based on where you are and the emergency service coverage. The necessary resources will respond as quickly as possible to help you. In most populated areas, it will be within a matter of minutes.

Using their training, equipment and problem solving skills, they will work to mitigate the situation and provide the best possible outcome for all those involved. These specialty services obviously cost money, but aren’t always something you have to directly pay for.

This video will explain how the 911 system works:

The models used for emergency services can vary, but usually, police and fire department resources are paid for by taxes. You will usually not get a bill from firefighters or cops. There are exceptions to this. In some areas, to recoup costs, fire departments and other city resources have instituted an emergency response fee , but this is still not common.

However, if you need emergency medical care, you may have to pay. The fire department will probably respond first with firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics that can treat and stabilize any life-threatening conditions.

The ambulance will also be dispatched and will usually arrive after the fire department. If you need transport to the hospital in the ambulance, you will usually have to pay. In most areas, the ambulance services are provided by private companies (74%) that will bill you or your insurance directly for any treatment and transport they provide.

Note: There are some places that use fire department ambulances for medical transport (26%), but they will usually bill for this service as well. There may be different models that don’t require direct payment, but they are not the norm.

Also read: How Do Firefighters Receive 9-1-1 Calls?

How Much Do You Have to Pay if You Call 911?

Like we discussed above, if your emergency requires police or firefighters to assist, you will likely be charged $0.

But, if you need an ambulance for treatment and transport in a medical emergency, you will probably have to pay and the amount can really vary.

The average cost of ambulance transport in California is $589, which doesn’t seem too bad for an emergency, potentially life-saving treatment. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Ambulance transport costs can vary widely and one of the main reasons is the collection rate and who ends up paying.

The average person with private insurance will get a bill of $1274! This is because a large majority of people (74%) either have no insurance or are insured by Medicare or Medi-cal. This means they may settle their bill for much less. Medicare and Medi-cal only pay a preset rate, regardless of the actual cost for ambulance services.

This means that those who have private insurance or pay out of pocket will pay much higher bills to make up for the rest of the money lost in the system. And an ambulance bill can be much higher than $1200. If you need to be transported in an air ambulance, it usually will cost $12,000 to $25,000 and it can cost up to $200,000 !!

So the cost for calling 911 can vary from $0 to $200,000, depending on why you called and what you need help with. But most likely the bill, if you are transported by an ambulance, will be around $1500, though your insurance may cover some or all of that.

Also read: How Much Does It Cost To Call An Ambulance?

Do You Get Charged for Accidentally Calling 911?

It happens more often than you think. Whether you just dial wrong or a child calls 911, an accidental call to 911 is not uncommon.

If you accidentally call 911 you will not be in trouble. You should stay on the line and let them know you dialed them by mistake. If you don’t, they may have to send emergency services out to you, as they do not know if there is a real emergency or not.

If you hang up after calling 911, they will probably try to call back and find out if there is a real emergency. Make sure to answer and tell them it was unintentional and that there are no emergencies. Don’t be worried, they are used to getting called by mistake. You will not get charged or fined for accidentally calling 911.

However, if you make a false 911 call on purpose, you can be fined. It is a crime (misdemeanor) to falsely call 911 and you can be fined up to $1000 or 90 days in jail , in some areas. There have even been discussions of increasing this penalty.

Also read: What Happens When You Accidentally Call 911? Important Info

Does 911 Ever Put You on Hold?

It can be scary when you have to call 911. It is usually a stressful experience and it doesn’t help when you are put on hold. However, it happens .

911 operators are expected to answer all the emergency calls they receive as well as dispatch all the resources needed for each call. This means that sometimes there are no calls and other times there are a bunch of 911 calls, all at the same time. They have to make do with the employees on staff that day.

This means that sometimes, you may be put on hold when calling 911. This is necessary so they can manage all the calls they are receiving. Just know that they are doing all they can to manage these calls and will get back to you as soon as possible.

Also read: How Much Does It Cost To Become A Firefighter? Firefighter Answers

What is the Emergency Number in Other Countries?

If you aren’t in the US or Canada, the number to dial in an emergency is usually something different than 911. Sometimes dialing 911 will redirect you to the proper emergency line, but not always and you shouldn’t rely on it.

Here are some resources for emergency numbers outside of North America:

• Travel.state.gov
• Wikipedia/emergencynumbers
• Matadornetwork.com
• usatoday.com

You should be able to find the emergency number for almost anywhere with these resources.

Also read: How Much Does A Fire Station Cost?

When you experience or witness an emergency, calling 911 (or other emergency number) is the right thing to do. You shouldn’t be worried about what it will cost. But you can be reassured that in most cases, calling will not cost you any money, unless you get transported by an ambulance.

Related Articles

Will Incense/Smoking/Vaping Set Off A Smoke Detector?

Is It Safe To Sleep In A House After A Small Fire?

What Is The International Emergency Signal For Distress?

Does Stop, Drop, And Roll Really Work? [Clothes On Fire]

Related Posts

Do Firefighters Sleep at the Station?

Why Firefighters Are Always Washing Their Trucks

About the author.

Does the Fire Department Charge?

February 13, 2022

Josiah Raiford

Have you ever driven yourself or a loved one to a hospital because you’re afraid of incurring fees for the ambulance? Well, now a kitchen fire has broken out in your home. You evacuated everyone quickly, but you aren’t sure what to do. If you call 911 and ask for the fire department, are you going to be charged for it later?

Fire departments usually do not charge for their services unless they are private departments. If your city or town has a fire protection district, you may be charged as well. If you do have to pay, it may be as part of an annual subscription or on an as-needed basis.

In this article, we’ll talk further about when you might be charged by a fire department and how much money you might have to pay. You’re not going to want to miss it! 

Table of Contents

Do Fire Departments Charge to Respond to Emergency Calls?

As far as you knew, calling 911 for the local fire department is supposed to be free. Yet a buddy of yours told you that they recently got billed by your fire department after receiving service. What gives? Do fire departments charge or not?

Municipal fire departments–such as those that receive funding through the government on a federal, state, county, or city level–usually do not charge for their services. 

However, a municipal fire department might not be the one to answer your emergency call. Depending on who takes the call and responds first, you could incur fees. Let’s take a closer look at when that would be the case.

Private Fire Departments

Although there are far fewer of them than there are municipal fire departments, private fire departments do exist across the United States. It’s estimated that their numbers are only hundreds, which is roughly four percent of all firefighters in the country.

Unlike municipal fire departments, a private fire department isn’t associated with the state government on any level, from county to city levels. 

Instead, they’re like any other business. When you contact them, they come to you and provide a service. You’re then expected to pay for that service.

Private fire departments are usually hired for crises such as wildfires, especially the ones that broke out across California in much of the most recent year or two. However, they can respond to calls of fires in public and private buildings as well.

Fire Protection Districts

Another instance in which you can be charged for firefighting services is if the department is in a fire protection district. These districts operate under provisions in the Fire Protection District Act. 

Like private fire departments, fire protection districts are not government-owned or regulated. Instead, the district typically fills in a gap where no city or town government currently exists, but not exclusively. 

Fire protection districts include a group of members elected to special roles. These people are not a city council, even if they operate like one. If your city or town has a fire protection district, the district will use property tax money. 

The next time you pay your property taxes, check for a Fire Tax. If you have one, then your city or town uses a fire protection district. 

Emergency Response Fees

We must also talk about emergency response fees, which you may see referred to as crash taxes, accident response fees, fire department service charges, or fire department charges. 

An emergency response fee is issued by your fire department for specific services, often emergency medical care but sometimes firefighting as well. 

It’s unclear if an emergency response fee applies for municipal firefighters or other subsets of firefighters, but it is something to look out for. If you’re billed after receiving help from your local fire department, this is likely an emergency response fee.

The good news is that emergency response fees have been largely done away with, as much of the country has banned them. 

How Much Do Paid Fire Services Charge to Respond to Calls?

If you get in touch with a private fire department or another fire service that charges, exactly how much money should you expect to pay for these services?

That’s almost impossible to say. It could come down to a matter of geography, but even that may not be as influential as you would think.

As you’ll recall, private fire departments are non-government-regulated. Nothing is stopping them from setting firefighting prices as high as desired. Well, except the need to retain customers, that is.

Thus, you can expect that even if you are charged, the fees wouldn’t be insanely unreasonable. That’s not to say the payment would necessarily be cheap, either.

What you’ll pay for private firefighting services also depends on the payment structure the private fire department uses. Some departments will charge you for each incident, as we mentioned in the intro. 

This is sort of like when you go to the doctor and you don’t have health insurance. You’re only charged for the services you receive that day.

The issue though with an as-needed payment is that your bill could be small or astronomically large. If you only have a kitchen fire, then you shouldn’t expect to be billed a lot of money. However, if most of your home burned, now that’s a different story. 

Other private fire departments will charge on a subscription basis. Your fee covers private fire department services for the entire calendar year. 

When you call the fire department, they don’t bill you at the time of the incident because you’re already paying a subscription. This can prevent sometimes surprising fees later when you’re already in a financial bind due to the house fire.

Of course, a subscription private fire department service is only good if you use the fire department. If you’ve never had a fire incident in your life, then you’re paying needlessly year after year. 

Can You Be Charged for False Alarm Fire Department Calls? 

Going back to the story of your buddy receiving a bill from the fire department, it could also be that they called and reported a false alarm fire .

False alarms are very serious. Worse yet, they’re more common than you think. The National Fire Protection Association or NFPA reports that, in 2012, firefighters across the US answered 2,238,000 false alarm fires. That’s one in 12 calls.

That number was considered a decrease too!

Although the data is a little old, it just goes to show the high rate of false alarms. Firefighters cannot tell when they’re answering a call whether someone is making up the information they’re providing. The fire department treats every call as though it’s real, and thus responds accordingly.

False alarms are a huge waste of time, manpower, energy, and gas (for the fire truck). Thus, in some neighborhoods across the country, fire departments have decided to combat the incidents of false alarm calls by charging a penalty for making them.

This usually doesn’t happen after your first call, so if you recently reported a false alarm (or your friend did), don’t sweat it too much. Instead, it usually requires several back-to-back calls for the fire department to charge you.  

Should I Call My Fire Department If I Have an Emergency?

This information has certainly been some food for thought. You’d rather not get charged by your fire department if you can help it.

We agree that paying money when you don’t want to is a huge drag. However, that should never dissuade you from contacting emergency services when you need help! 

Here’s an easy question for you. Would you rather pay a small fee for a private fire department to come out and save your home or hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy a new home and replace everything in it?  

We think the answer to that is a no-brainer. Even those on the tightest shoestring budgets can agree that paying for private firefighting assistance is better than letting your home burn unmitigated. 

Firefighting services are not always free. Private fire departments charge on an as-needed or subscription basis, fire protection districts don’t operate without money, and you can even be charged if you make too many false alarm calls to the fire department.

Even so, don’t let this information cause you to hesitate even one second when a fire breaks out in your home or workplace. Worry about the charges later and your safety now!

The cost of calling firefighters: $31 ... or $1,308?

What it is: The cost, on average, of sending a team of firefighters to a call for service in Springfield.

So why the range of numbers?

Costs can vary wildly depending on the type of call firefighters respond to — a false alarm or medical call might be resolved quickly, while a warehouse fire or arson investigation could take hours. But that's not the reason for the two costs shown in the headline.

"It really depends on what you include in your calculation," said Springfield Fire Chief David Hall. Is the cost of building, maintaining and staffing each firehouse included, then divided by the number of calls to 911? "That way you're accounting for all the downtime."

On the other hand, the lights at the firehouse will be on, and firefighters will be on duty whether they go on 10 calls or 12.

"You're already paying for people," Hall said. "So you can look at, 'What's the cost of that next call?' ... Each has its justification, but also its limitations."

Here are four ways of looking at it, using information Hall provided:

Total operating cost: The simplest calculation, this takes the fire department's operating budget, which was almost $19 million in 2013 — and divides by the total number of calls for service, which was 14,399 in the same period.

The result is an average cost of $1,308 per incident . The capital cost of building fire stations or buying engines isn't included in the cost, but it does take into account the time and expense of training, prevention efforts and other costs associated with running the department.

Cost assigned per incident: This method, which the fire department uses when it does any kind of cost recovery, tries to account for the actual hours of labor used for an average incident, along with the cost of the fire engine used on the call, but ignores the cost of building and maintaining fire stations and paying firefighters while they are waiting for the next call.

Assuming minimum staffing for an engine (a captain, at $35 an hour; an equipment operator, at $31 an hour; and a firefighter at $24 an hour) and an average call length of about 17 to 18 minutes, the cost of labor is about $26 per call, according to Hall's numbers.

The standard reimbursement rate used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a fire engine is $85 per call, he said, resulting in a total cost of $111 per call in 2013 .

Marginal cost per incident plus labor: This method uses the same numbers as before to calculate the labor cost per incident. But rather than accounting for the cost of acquiring or replacing fire engines — which must be done whether the apparatus is used for 1,000 calls or 1,001 — it only includes the cost of fuel and maintenance.

The department spent $169,279 on fuel and $270,083 on maintenance in 2013, for a combined average of about $31 per call.

The average personnel cost is the same as above, about $26 per call, for a combined marginal cost of $57 per call .

Marginal cost per incident, no labor: This method results in the lowest calculated cost per incident and is based on the idea that firefighters on duty will be paid whether they go out on one more call during a shift.

Ignoring the costs of building, maintaining or staffing fire stations, it includes only the cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance, calculated above, resulting in an average cost of $31 per incident .

Hall said this method, like the two preceding calculations, doesn't take into account the cost of supplies that might be used on a medical call, but he doesn't think it affects the amount substantially.

"Of course, at some point, adding runs will increase the amount of staffing, stations and apparatus required," he said. "At that point, the marginal cost would increase substantially."

How we did it

The idea: Firefighters respond to many calls involving life-threatening situations such as fires or medical emergencies, but the Fourth of July holiday brings with it complaints about fireworks and other nuisances. That got me wondering, how much does it cost taxpayers each time a fire crew is called out because someone is breaking the law with bottle rockets and Roman candles?

The request: I called the fire department and was referred to Chief David Hall, who provided the budget numbers and calculations used for the article.

Complications: As sometimes happens, Hall answered my question about cost per call with more questions. Did I want to include capital costs and downtime? The cost of buying fire engines or just keeping them on the road?

Hall provided answers using the four methods above but said other approaches are possible. "There are probably even better ways to look at this, but these will be a fairly representative depending on what a person wants to evaluate."

The cost: $0

Does The Fire Department Charge You

Knowing what kind of charges you may incur when the fire department responds to an emergency is important. Though it may not be something we think about often, fires can happen to anyone, anywhere, whether it’s in our homes, offices, or even vehicles.

And in an emergency, we depend on our trusted firefighters to provide us with the necessary assistance and support to help us overcome the situation.

However, it’s common for individuals to be concerned about the potential costs of a fire department response, particularly during financial hardship.

In this article, we will discuss whether or not you get charged when the fire department comes to an emergency, how fire department fees are calculated, and what you can do to reduce your costs potentially.

With an emphasis on facts, detailed explanations, and semantic richness, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive answer to this all-important question. So, please sit back and relax as we take you through the intricate details of fire department charges.

• 1 Does The Fire Department Charge You?
• 2 Do fire departments Charge For Their Services?
• 3  Costs of Fire Department Services
• 4 Fire Department Funding
• 5 How to Avoid Getting Charged
• 6 What Should You Do If You Receive a Bill?

Does The Fire Department Charge You?

Do fire departments charge for their services.

Fire departments are typically funded through taxes and government funding, which means that in most cases, they do not charge for their services.

The primary responsibility of fire departments is to protect lives and property, and this is done without any cost to the public.

However, there are certain situations where fire departments may charge for their services.

For example, if a non-resident of an area requires the services of the local fire department, they may be charged a fee.

This is because they do not contribute towards the local fire department services through taxes. Similarly, some fire departments may charge for services like firefighting training and inspection of commercial buildings.

The determination of fees charged by fire departments depends on various factors such as location, type of service needed, and duration of the service.

The fees charged must be reasonable and reflect the service’s actual cost. In cases where an insurance company is involved, the fee may be waived, and the insurance company may cover the cost.

Collection of fees by fire departments is typically done through invoicing, and fees are paid to the department through the local government.

It is important to note that fire departments only charge fees as a last resort and will always respond to emergency calls regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

 Costs of Fire Department Services

When it comes to fire department services, it’s natural for people to be concerned about the costs associated with them.

After all, firefighting demands a lot of skill and expertise, not to mention specialized equipment and training.

The costs of fire department services can vary depending on several factors, including the size and location of the department, the number of firefighters on staff, and the type and frequency of services provided.

Salaries and benefits are the largest portion of these costs, because firefighters are highly trained professionals who often put their lives on the line to protect others.

In addition to their base salaries, firefighters may receive health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off benefits.

Equipment and maintenance costs are another important factor to consider. Fire departments use various specialized tools and vehicles to respond to emergencies, including fire trucks, hoses, pumps, and more.

These pieces of equipment must be regularly maintained and replaced as needed to ensure their effectiveness during emergencies.

Finally, training expenses are also a significant part of the costs associated with fire department services.

Firefighters must undergo rigorous training to develop the skills and knowledge necessary.

Training costs can include the salaries of instructors, training materials and equipment, and other related expenses.

In terms of whether or not you will be charged for fire department services, it’s important to note that policies may vary depending on your location.

Some municipalities have fire departments funded by taxes, providing services at no cost to the individual.

Others may charge fees in certain situations, such as responding to false alarms or non-emergency calls.

Overall, the costs of fire department services are an important investment in the safety and well-being of our communities.

Fire Department Funding

Fire departments are generally funded through a combination of sources, including property taxes, state and federal grants, and user fees.

Property taxes typically form the backbone of fire department funding, as they represent a stable source of revenue that can be used to support the department’s operations.

In addition, state and federal grants can provide funding for specific projects and initiatives, such as equipment upgrades or new fire stations.

User fees are another important source of funding for fire departments.

These fees are typically charged when a fire department responds to an emergency call, and can cover the cost of the department’s services.

However, it’s important to note that these fees are usually only charged to property owners, such as businesses or renters, who do not pay property taxes.

It’s worth noting that fire departments often face significant budget constraints.

This is due to a variety of factors, including rising equipment and personnel costs, as well as competition for funding from other essential services.

As a result, fire departments are often forced to make difficult choices when it comes to allocating their resources.

How to Avoid Getting Charged

We understand that having to pay for the fire department’s services can be daunting. However, there are a few simple steps that you can take to prevent situations where they may charge.

First and foremost, it is crucial to maintain functioning smoke detectors in your home at all times. Smoke detectors can alert you and your family members of a potential fire, allowing you to evacuate safely and quickly.

This can help prevent a fire from becoming too large to handle, and thus reducing the need for the fire department to intervene.

Another step you can take is to avoid engaging in risky activities that can cause fires. This can include using faulty electrical appliances, leaving cooking food unattended, or smoking indoors. Practicing caution and mindfulness can significantly reduce the risk of a fire in your home.

In the unfortunate event that you do need to call the fire department, it is essential to check whether your insurance policy provides coverage for their services.

Some policies may cover some or all of the fees, depending on the type of service required and the extent of the damages. It is always good to familiarize yourself with your policy’s terms and conditions to ensure you are fully prepared in an emergency.

In conclusion, maintaining smoke detectors and being cautious in your day-to-day activities can help prevent fires and reduce the need for the fire department’s services.

Additionally, checking your insurance policy for coverage can provide peace of mind and ensure that you are not faced with unexpected fees in the event of an emergency.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Bill?

If you receive a bill from the fire department, it can be quite disconcerting. However, rest assured that there are ways you can handle the situation without breaking the bank. Here are some tips that can help:

Tips for handling a bill from the fire department:

1. Don’t ignore it: The worst thing you can do is to ignore the bill. It won’t just disappear; the problem will only worsen the longer you avoid it.

2. Understand what the bill is for: When you receive it, read it carefully to determine what it is. It could be a fee for vehicle extrication, hazardous materials cleanup, or a false alarm. Understanding the reason for the charge is crucial in figuring out how to deal with it.

3. Check for errors: Examining the bill’s details and ensuring no errors is essential. Any incorrect amounts, dates, or reasons for the charge should be addressed immediately.

4. Contact your homeowner’s insurance company: Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover the cost of fire department services. If you’re unsure about your policy’s coverage, contact your provider to check.

5. Speak to the fire department: Before paying the bill, consider contacting the fire department and attempting to negotiate a payment plan or compromise. Explain your financial situation, and they may be able to accommodate you.

Explanation of how to dispute a bill:

If you believe the bill is erroneous or you’re not responsible for the charge, you have the right to dispute it. Here is how you can go about disputing a bill from the fire department:

1. Gather evidence: Collect all relevant documentation that supports your dispute, such as receipts, photos, and eyewitness accounts. The evidence will help you build a case in your favor.

2. Write a letter: Write a letter to the fire department outlining your reasons for disputing the bill. Be concise and straightforward in stating your case. Include your name, address, and account number on the letter.

3. Submit your evidence: Send all evidence collected in step one together with your letter to the fire department. Keep copies of everything if you need to refer to them later.

4. Wait for a response: The fire department has a specific time frame to respond to your dispute. Be patient and wait for the response. The fee may be waived, reduced, or deferred if they agree to your dispute.

Hi, I m Aaron Smith, a firefighter, and creator of Firefighterline.com, a website that provides top-notch training courses for firefighting organizations. After completing my studies, I quickly rose through the fire service ranks, eventually becoming Captain at one of the busiest fire departments in the state.

Fire Station Tours and Fire Engine Visit Requests

Fire station tours.

Visit any of our 23 fire stations to see how firefighters live when they are at work and what type of equipment they use and learn more about how you can stay safe at home.

• Tours must be scheduled three weeks in advance.
• Tours are 30-45 minutes long
• Tours are available 7 days a week between the hours of 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
• For safety reasons, attendance is limited to 30 total participants.

Please let us know of any accessibility needs in your request so we can assist you with finding a station that meets your needs.

NOTE: The Colorado Springs Fire Department does not host birthday parties or send fire engines to birthday parties, but we would be glad to give your birthday child or group a tour of the station.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Colorado Springs will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or reasonable accommodation to participate in a tour should make the request when the tour is scheduled.

Schedule a Fire Station Tour

Fire Engine Visit

If you are interested in having a fire crew visit your location, please read the following to ensure we are able fulfill your request.

• Requests need to be received at least 3 weeks prior to the event request.
• Requests are on a first-come first-served basis.
• A minimum of 20 attendees at the event is preferred but groups with smaller attendance may be considered based upon the request type.
• All fire crews will remain in service for the duration of the request.
• Schools, daycare centers, churches.
• Community events, safety fairs, neighborhood block parties, HOA meetings, scout meetings.

NOTE: The Colorado Springs Fire Department does not send fire engines or crews to business grand openings, a private residence, an event to gain or promote a business, or fundraisers.

Schedule a Fire Engine Visit

We do our best to respond to our requests within 3-5 business days and appreciate your patience. For any other questions, please email [email protected]

Station Tours, Firefighter Visits & Community Events

We are committed to providing fire and life safety education to Seattle’s diverse communities. If you are interested in meeting our firefighters and/or outreach and education team, please fill out the Community Visit and Tour Request Form . Please note, all requests need to be made at least four weeks in advance and not more than three months in advance . Minimum age for tours and visits is three.

Station tours and community visits are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday – Sunday . During tours and visits, firefighters remain in-service, which means crews may need to end the visit or tour and respond to emergencies.  

Fire Station Tours

Station tours last approximately 20-30 minutes and include viewing the fire engine and equipment, talking to firefighters about their job and learning important fire safety tips. We can accommodate a maximum of 25 participants, including five chaperones (if children are in attendance). There must be one adult chaperone for every five children.

Requesting firefighters to visit your school

Schools may request a firefighter to visit their class. The minimum group size is 15 participants, and a maximum number of participants may be imposed depending on time and availability of fire department personnel.  A parking area must be provided where the fire engine/truck can get in and out quickly in the event of an emergency. One adult chaperone for every five children. 

Requesting firefighters to attend your community event or parade

Department participation can be requested for events that are open to the public, including health fairs, festivals and other educational events. Community event requests are scheduled as personnel are available. We participate in parades as schedules allow. We may need to work with organizers on special placement in the event we can only attend while in-service.

We do not participate in company-sponsored events or fundraisers, and do not host or attend birthday parties. 

Fire Department

Harold Scoggins, Fire Chief Address: 301 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98104 Mailing Address: 301 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98104 Phone: (206) 386-1400 Email: [email protected] Contact Us

Newsletter Updates

Sign up for the latest updates from Fire Department

City-Wide Information

• Elected Officials
• Open Data Portal
• Public Records
• City Holidays and Closures
• City News Feed
• City Event Calendar
• All City Newsletters
• View the Departments & Agencies List

Popular Pages

• Construction Inspections
• Children’s Programs
• Fire Plan Review
• Systems Testing

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) has 33 fire stations located throughout the City. SFD deploys engine companies, ladder companies, and aid and medic units to mitigate loss of life and property resulting from fires, medical emergencies, and other disasters.

Interview: How fire chiefs can recoup response costs

Recovery of incident response costs has long been part of traditional homeowner’s and auto insurance policies, but often forgotten as a way to fund fire departments.

When writing a previous article on alternative funding for EMS, for our sibling site, EMS1.com , I spoke with Kirsten Cox, general manager at Covenant Solutions, Inc .

Covenant Solutions is one of several companies that provide cost recovery for the fire and emergency services response through insurance and other non-tax based revenue reimbursement sources. Cox and I discussed how fire chiefs can tap into this revenue source.

Fire Chief: What is cost recovery?

Cox: If your department responds to motor vehicle accidents or fires, structure fires, or hazardous materials incidents, there may be insurance funds available to reimburse your department for these services.

These provisions were built into policies way back in the days when they originally funded fire departments through these provisions. However, fire departments and other emergency services agencies quit applying for these funds. The insurance companies became used to not having requests for these monies and so the entire concept was forgotten by most because it was seen as an antique process.

Fire response cost recovery practice began in the late 1700s when Benjamin Franklin organized one of the earliest fire insurance endeavors in Philadelphia and reimbursed local fire companies for their response to his insured’s fire emergencies. The concept has evolved over the years to include recovery for many other types of responses that have become necessary such as hazmat events, motor vehicle incidents, plane and train crashes, gas-line events and so on.

FC: So what’s changed?

Cox: Nothing has changed except that fire departments need money to provide services and third-party administrator (TPA) companies like mine help fire departments in applying for and collecting those insurance reimbursements.

When the requests began to grow, they were met with resistance at first from the insurance industry, but the fact remains they never stopped collecting customer premiums that included these provisions. They just stopped paying them out when fire departments stopped asking for them.

What I’m finding today is that many insurance carriers have come to recognize the benefits and are reimbursing these funds to departments that request them using appropriate methods.

FC: How does it work?

Cox: When your department responds to an incident, you furnish your TPA with the standard information from your run report. This information can usually be submitted via email, fax or on their website. Your TPA then works on your behalf to process a claim with the appropriate insurance companies.

Your TPA commonly receives a percentage of the total amount collected for your department as their professional fee. If no collections are made on a report, no professional fees are collected.

FC: Is cost recovery legal?

Cox: Fire service incident response cost recovery is legal in every state in some form. There are variations and limits that can come into play based on federal and state laws, local ordinances, and ultimately the insurance policy itself.

Each state can have different guidelines regarding the issue of cost recovery, and in most states there are not yet any specific laws in place to address cost recovery. In this case an issue is generally decided on the local level (home rule).

FC: Does being a non-profit organization mean that you can’t charge fees?

Cox: No, not at all. Typically, non-profit entities like volunteer fire departments do charge some type of fee for services due to the necessity of covering ever-rising operational costs. A non-profit means that any profits are used to provide services and are not distributed to the employees or directors for personal gain or use.

A non-profit will typically have an assigned treasurer or officer to keep records of all revenue, and funding in general and the distribution of such. The non-profit will need to file for tax-exempt status with the IRS, and a Federal EIN (or TIN) number is assigned, so they can be held accountable for any funds collected from fees. A tax-exempt entity will typically file an IRS Form 990 annually for receipts confirmation and accountability.

FC: How many departments go after individuals for payment if insurance declines or doesn’t pay the full amount? And, what does that do to a department’s image in the community?

Cox: For our clients, if insurance declines to pay, or only pays a portion, then individuals aren’t billed directly. There are some fire departments that will bill uninsured, at-fault individuals. The reason and thought pattern behind this concept is to be fair to responsible insured parties, so they aren’t penalized simply for being insured. They have followed the law and are covered by applicable insurance, so they are afforded consideration and not penalized if their provider can only remit a portion.

The general opinion is, a policy holder doesn’t have control over what their insurance adjuster pays or doesn’t pay, and have done what was legally required of them to the full extent of their abilities securing insurance coverage. We know many policy holders who have switched insurance carriers, once they became aware that their carrier was not complying with reimbursement requests from their fire departments. We have had absolutely no reports of negative impact on any of our clients.

FC: Does cost recovery have any impact on homeowner’s insurance rates or the fire department’s ISO rating?

Cox: As I said earlier, these costs have been included in the policies written by insurance companies for hundreds of years. Just because fire departments stopped submitting requests for reimbursement didn’t mean policy holders saw a reduction in their premiums over the years. To date, we have not been made aware of any type of insurance hikes in a community due to the recovering of costs in that area.

FC: What’s the percentage these services take and how does that compare with staff doing the same work?

Cox: The average rate these days is 25 percent of the collected totals. The cost recovery service is basically taking all the risk, by handling all of the costs related to recovery, even if an incident turns out to not be recoverable.

I haven’t done any comparison for hiring and paying an employee to do the same exact process, however we did have several clients who attempted to recover these costs themselves and actually created a couple of positions for that purpose. They ended up coming back to us because they weren’t as successful, so their costs ended up to be much higher.

I think because there is such a specific skill set needed for this particular type of recovery billing, (it’s nothing like EMS billing medical insurance companies) that there is nowhere to get this type of training outside of the industry itself.

FC: How much money will cost recovery generate for a department?

Cox: Each department’s reimbursements vary depending on factors such as their state fire marshal’s recommended fee schedules (if any), the number and make-up of incidents, as well as the type of motor vehicle and homeowner insurance policy and coverage is available. Your cost recovery provider can typically compare your stats to departments with similar stats in your state, to give you an average of what you could expect to receive on a monthly basis.

FC: How much does a TPA bill the insurance company?

Cox: Most TPAs use a recommended fee schedule that they have found works well in most cases or use the state-mandated rates if any exist. Check to make sure the TPAs you look into are basing their fee schedule on the national standard as used by most major TPAs.

Your TPA acts as your department’s agent in recovering the costs the department incurs while providing services. If a department has a fee schedule of their own they want to use, most providers will work with the department if possible and make recommendations for adaptations where needed.

However, a good provider should make serious recommendations if a schedule being suggested is either in direct contradiction with a state-mandated schedule or is simply not going to be effective in recovering costs from insurance carriers, which would cause collections to be minimal.

FC: How are the billing rates and fee schedule determined?

Billing for fire department and rescue squad incident response cost recovery should represent actual response costs. The costs are typically based on the actual response time (the time the apparatus leaves the station until it is response ready or ready to go back in service).

The rates should follow the national standard for fire department billing, which is based on recommendations per information gathered during a FEMA commissioned study, as well as other relevant industry research. Fully calculated rates, using preset charges/values for each component involved, can include variables such as cost for vehicles and equipment, repairs and maintenance, useful life, contractors and billing and collections.

For vehicles or apparatus, an average formula used by fire departments is the rate of $1 per $1,000 of estimated value of vehicle per hour (the charge for a $275,000 pumper or rescue unit would be $275 per hour). Other mitigation factors that are included for itemization are consumable materials (foam, oil dry, pads) utilized at the incident and any special procedures performed (extrication, landing zone, high angle rescue).

FC: Do Insurance providers understand and pay this type of billing?

Cox: If the billing for the actual mitigation costs incurred during incident response adheres to preferred methods utilized and approved of within the insurance industry, reimbursements move smoothly through the claims system. Insurance providers should receive a detailed itemization of response costs along with any necessary documentation, allowing them to expedite a request for reimbursement with ease.

The quicker the insurance claims processor is able to justify each expense and match it to the corresponding exposure at the beginning of the review process, the better the result with less red tape and quicker payments.

FC: How should a fire department implement a cost recovery program?

Cox: When there isn’t a federal or state law addressing an issue, local communities and municipalities may pass local laws or ordinances that do so. Cost recovery is commonly addressed on the local level. If a fire department is not located within a municipality or fire district, they may opt to establish a fire department billing resolution, which formally states their intention and beginning date for recovery of response costs.

Implementing an ordinance or resolution is usually a recommended first step to take, to affirm your intentions to recover your response costs. Because state and federal laws can be subject to change, locate a provider who is familiar with your state’s laws, and stay informed yourself so you can be sure that all new laws are adhered to quickly and appropriately.

Working with your state legislation toward implementing supportive laws is also a proactive method to help keep community fire departments well-funded and response ready. These provisions were written into insurance policies with the exact intention of reimbursing emergency and first responders for their response costs.

While many other countries across the world have used these insurance funds as a standard to fund fire departments and rescue squads, the U.S. has only just begun to readdress this practice on a large scale over last 10 years.

OFFICIAL MUSEUM OF THE FDNY

Visitor Information

SECTION LINKS:    FAQ's     Fire Safety Tours      Upcoming Event     Nearby FDNY Companies      Join Our Mailing List

The New York City Fire Museum is located in a renovated 1904 firehouse at 278 Spring Street, between Varick and Hudson Streets, in Manhattan’s Hudson Square district.

Hours of operation wednesday thru sunday, 10am to 5pm a dvanced tickets are available - walk-ins welcom e .

Admission Prices

  $15.00 for Adult $10.00 for Student, Senior (65+), Firefi ghter , EMT, Paramedic (outside of NYC),

               Person with  Disability $6.00    for Youth (ages 3-17)

$3.00    for Museums for All Partici pants (EBT/SNAP)  

We are closed on the following holidays:

New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memoria l Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day,

Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Free Admission

Must bring appropriate ID 

New York City Fire Museum, Museum Council and Cool Culture members

Children 2 and under

Active FDNY,  NYPD, PAPD 

Active US Military

Self Guided Group Tickets

If you would like to schedule a self guided tour for your group please use the button below to book. Minimum of 15 people.

Fire Safety Tour

If you would like to schedule a Fire Safety tour for your group please use the button below to book. Please note guided tours are subject to availability and advanced reservations are required.

There is no parking facility at the Fire Museum. There is limited metered street parking. A pay parking lot (Edison Parking) is located next door to the Museum.

Directions via Public Transportation

To reach the Museum by subway, take the “C” or “E” train (8th Avenue Local) to Spring Street. Walk west 1½ blocks. Alternately, take the “1” train (IRT) to Houston Street. Walk south along Varick Street for 4 blocks to Spring Street. Walk west ½ block.

To reach the Museum via bus, take the M10 or M21 to Spring Street.

Still not sure how to get here? Visit Google Maps to get public transportation, walking and driving directions.

Click to enlarge

Does the Fire Department Charge You?

When most people think about the fire department, they imagine firefighters rushing to put out a blaze. However, the fire department does more than just fight fires.

They also provide emergency services to those in need. This includes things like rescuing people from car accidents and helping to put out fires.

In addition, the fire department often responds to medical emergencies. In fact, many times they are the first responders on the scene.

So, do you have to pay for these services?

You usually won’t have to pay for fire department services if you are in a legitimate emergency. Fire departments are subsidized by local governments and are designed to help people in need.

However, as with most social services, there are exceptions and more details to consider. Read on for a complete overview of how fire department charging works.

Do I Need to Pay an Emergency Response Fee For Fire Departments?

There are certain situations where you won’t receive a fire department charge.

This includes small fire incidents that require extinguishing, automobile accidents that require extinguishing, and life-saving methods such as CPR.

Some other services included by the fire department include immediate onsite medical care, fire investigations to prevent future disasters, and providing general public education on fire safety.

In these cases, it is up to the discretion of the fire department whether or not to charge you.

They will usually waive the fee if they feel that it was a legitimate emergency.

When Will I Need to Pay an Emergency Response Fee?

There are certain situations where you may be required to pay a fee, depending on your local government.

This is also known as a fire department charge and can apply to wildfires, traffic accidents, buildings on fire, and other emergency situations.

It isn’t common since the U.S. has prohibited these fees in most areas, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware of the possibility by looking into the specific legislation in your area.

In addition, some fire departments may charge a small fee for non-emergency services, such as providing an escort for a funeral procession or giving presentations on fire safety.

These fees are typically nominal and are used to offset the costs of these programs.

False alarms may also necessitate a fee, depending on the specific protocols of the fire department.

You may be able to get away with one or two false alarms, but this charge will likely be applied if the incident happens several times in a row in one particular location.

Finally, if you live in an unincorporated area and the neighboring fire department is called to respond to an emergency on your property, you may be required to pay a fee.

This is because unincorporated areas don’t pay taxes to the fire department, so they have to recoup the costs somehow.

How Much Will I Be Charged?

Fees vary depending on the situation and the specific fire department, but they are usually relatively small.

For instance, you may be charged a few hundred dollars for a false alarm or a nominal fee for non-emergency services.

In general, fire department charges are designed to be affordable for those who need the services.

Insurance companies may also be charged for the services of the fire department, depending on the situation.

This is because many insurance policies cover the cost of emergency services. For instance, if your house catches on fire, your home insurance company may be responsible for paying the fire department fees.

It’s important to check with your specific policy to see what is covered.

What About Private Fire Departments?

Private fire departments make up a small portion of the overall fire department landscape, less than 5% to be specific.

These are usually companies that charge an annual fee or bill for individual responses.

It’s becoming increasingly popular for people to sign up for these services because of the recent wildfires .

While you may have to pay for their services, these companies usually provide a specialized level of service. This may include things like faster response times and more firefighters on the scene.

Of course, these privileges come to those with the means to pay for them.

Those who can afford to pay up to $3000 each day to protect their homes from the raging wildfires in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Volunteer-Based Fire Departments

Did you know that almost 70% of firefighters in the United States are volunteers? That’s right, these individuals don’t get paid for their heroic efforts.

In many cases, these volunteer firefighters are from small towns or rural areas.

They may not have the same level of resources as a professional fire department, but they still provide an important service to their communities.

These volunteer departments depend on donations, fundraising, and other forms of public funding to keep their doors open.

Even though you won’t need to pay fire department service charges for these individuals, it’s always a good idea to support your local volunteer department by making donations or raising awareness when you can.

Simply look up a local department in your area and get in touch to see how you can help.

What is the Fire Protection District?

Fire Protection Districts offer life-saving services that help prevent fires from ravaging specific areas.

Just like a Fire Department, they have firefighters and equipment that are professionally designed to fight fires.

In most cases, you won’t be charged every time you dial 9-1-1. Instead, these important services are funded by taxes from the district’s local property owners.

Although you may be paying more for their services initially through district taxes, you will save money in the long run.

Not only do Fire Protection Districts combat fires, but they also have systems and equipment in place to prevent them from igniting in the first instance.

A district can establish specific fire protection zones for the purpose of benefiting only a portion of the district.

A district can encompass any unincorporated or incorporated area which have yet to be declared the responsibility of the state for traditional fire protection.

How Are Fire Departments Funded?

Most Fire Departments in the United States are funded by a combination of federal, state, and local taxes. This is paid through government revenue or municipal funds.

The amount of money that each department receives depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the department and the needs of the community.

The city council or other local governing bodies usually decides how much money the Fire Department will receive each year.

In some cases, the amount of money may be decided through a vote by the citizens of the community.

Once the money is allocated, it is up to the Fire Chief to decide how it will be spent.

The funds may be used to purchase new equipment, pay for training, or to cover the everyday costs of running the department.

How Much Does a Fire Station Cost?

Knowing how much money goes into building a fire station helps to put their budgets into perspective. Currently, the average station will cost anywhere from 2 to 10 million dollars.

Some factors that affect the cost of the station include the size, location, specific features, and the cost of labor and materials.

Creating a budget is the first step when it comes to building a fire station. Next, the district must decide where to build the station.

The location must be able to accommodate the size of the station while also being easily accessible to those who will be using it.

Once the site is selected, construction can begin. The process usually takes about a year to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the project.

After the station is built, it must be equipped with the necessary tools and supplies.

This includes things like fire trucks , ladders, hoses, and firefighters’ gear. The cost of outfitting a station can range from $500,000 to $1 million.

In addition to the physical building and equipment, there are also other costs associated with running a fire station. These include things like utilities, insurance, and salaries for the firefighters who work there.

FAQs: Does the Fire Department Charge You?

What Do Firemen Do While Waiting For a Call?

When firefighters are not actively responding to an emergency, they are usually doing one of two things: training or cleaning.

Training helps to keep firefighters prepared for when they are needed most. It can include things like learning new skills, practicing with equipment, or going through emergency procedures.

Cleaning is also an important part of a firefighter’s job. Fire stations are typically very busy places, and it is important to keep them clean and organized.

This way, firefighters can quickly and easily find the things they need when they are called to action.

What Happens If I accidentally Call 911?

If you accidentally call 911, don’t hang up! Stay on the line and explain to the dispatcher what happened. They will likely stay on the line with you until they are sure that everything is okay.

Can the Fire Service Fine You For a False Alarm?

Yes, it is possible that you may be fined for a false alarm. However, the amount of the fine will vary depending on your local laws and ordinances.

You may not be fined for this fire service if it only happened once or if it was an accident. However, if you have a history of making false alarms, you may be fined.

The amount of the fine will also depend on how many times you have made a false alarm in the past.

Can a Fire Officer Issue a Fine?

Fire officers have the authority to issue fines for certain violations. These include things like false alarms, parking in fire lanes, and illegal burning.

The amount of the fine will vary depending on the severity of the violation and the laws in your area. In some cases, you may be able to appeal the decision if you feel that the fine is unfair.

Do You Have to Pay for an Emergency Ambulance?

In many cases, you or your health insurance provider will have to pay for an emergency ambulance. However, there are some instances where you may not have to pay.

For example, if you are a Medicare or Medicaid recipient, you may not have to pay for an ambulance. In some cases, your city or state may also have laws that protect you from having to pay for an ambulance.

Are Fire Stations Open 24 Hours a Day?

Fire stations are typically open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, there may be times when a station is closed for maintenance or training.

During these times, another nearby station will usually cover the area. This way, you can be sure that there will always be someone available to respond to an emergency.

Final Thoughts

In general, you won’t have to pay for fire department services unless it’s a private company. Otherwise, these services are subsidized by the government and provided for free to those who need them.

Exceptions usually apply to a few obscure locations with fees or private fire departments.

No matter how the Fire Department is funded, it’s important to remember that these individuals provide a vital service to the community. They put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and we should all be thankful for their courageous efforts.

So, the next time you see a fire truck speeding down the street, take a moment to think about the brave men and women who are inside, and remember that they are there to help us in our time of need, no matter how they are funded.

Request Fire Station Visit

The San Francisco Fire Department allows visits to neighborhood Fire Stations to interested educational and community groups.  All visits must first be processed and approved through the Office of the Chief of Department.

The following guidelines regarding Group Station Visits have been implemented in an effort to ensure the safety of the visiting groups and to assist Company Officers with better time management in fulfilling their community service duties:

• Groups with children shall be limited to a maximum of 25 children plus adult chaperones
• Children must be at least 5 years old
• Groups with children between the ages of 5 and 7 years must be accompanied by at least 1 adult chaperone for every 5 children
• No more than one group visit will be allowed to a station on any given day
• A Release of Liability Form must be completed for each visitor  prior to station visit

How to Request a Fire Station Visit

1. Submit a request to visit a SFFD Fire Station using the form below. Requests must be submitted at least TWO (2) WEEKS PRIOR to the date you are requesting your visit. Morning visits are at 10AM and afternoon visits are at 2PM unless otherwise requested. Please note that all requests are subject to availability. 

This form is reserved for educational and community group visits only. Tours are not offered to individuals. 

2. Complete and return the Release of Liability Form for each visitor. 

There is a separate Release of Liability Form for Adults and a Release of Liability Form for Children (under 18 years). Please ensure that all forms are properly signed by the appropriate party.

• Release of Liability Form - Adults (PDF)
• Release of Liability Form - Adults - SPANISH (PDF)
• Release of Liability Form - Adults - CHINESE (PDF)
• Release of Liability Form - Children (PDF)
• Release of Liability Form - Children - SPANISH (PDF)
• Release of Liability Form - Children - CHINESE (PDF)

*Release of Liability Forms not received 24 hours prior to your station visit will result in your visit being rescheduled.  Fire Station Officers cannot receive liability forms on day of visit. 

All forms must be submitted prior to station visit by email or fax to: 

Phone: (415) 558-3403 | Fax: (415) 558-3407 Email:  [email protected]

Cost Saving Calculators

The NVFC Foundation and VFIS developed the Fire and EMS Cost Savings Calculators for both volunteer fire departments and volunteer emergency medical services. These tools allow you to figure out how much money your department saves the community and provides resources for presenting data to the municipalities who fund the department. Use the calculators to make the case for increased community and governmental support of your department.

First released in 2004 and updated in 2014 and 2017, the cost savings calculator tool will enable you to determine the local cost savings of your volunteer fire or EMS department. The accompanying PowerPoint presentations can be customized with the results of your findings and details about your department’s service so that you can educate your city/town council, fire department boards, local groups, and others about the value that the department brings to the community. The cost savings figures will also help make the case for the need for local, state and federal investments in the volunteer fire service.

• Download the Fire Service Cost Savings Calculator (Excel).
• Download the customizable presentation template (PowerPoint). To complete the template, use the numbers from the cost savings calculator, and add other information as it pertains to your situation.
• Download the EMS Cost Savings Calculator (Excel).

• Fire Service
• NVFC Programs
• About The NVFC
• News & Events

Copyright 2024 National Volunteer Fire Council

Privacy Overview

• (800) 470-4946
• Email: [email protected]

School Visits

Effective curriculum - unforgettable delivery, it's your classroom, and we're here to help, our presentations are free.

If you teach 3rd, 4th or 5th grade in California, or have a child in one of those grades, have we got an assembly for you! Simply reach out and request a visit, and we’ll be in touch. We’ll get you or your child’s school or camp scheduled for a fire safety assembly like no other. You’re going to LOVE it. 

We share an interactive presentation for the students – they are engaged and participate in the process. We provide them with essential information related to home fire safety, and they’ll bring the goodies home, along with a story about how much fun they had learning. 

These skills could help save a live, which is why we’re so excited to visit your classroom. 

Reach out to us at:  [email protected]

• For Parents
• Family Escape Plan
• Your Emergency Go Bag
• Elementary School Teachers
• Parents Resources

Recent Posts

Chronicle Offers Wildfire Data

The San Francisco Chronicle has developed a California fire map that allows people to see in near real-time where wildfires are burning in the state. Of some important interest, past wildfires also show up, so a good understanding of trends and conditions can be realized. Active fires can be selected,

Cal Fire Prevention Earns FEMA Grant

The California Fire Prevention Organization has earned a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to support the organization’s focus on wildfire education, prevention, and awareness. The grant, which will run through the summer of 2023 will allow the organization to support a wide array of activities throughout the State –

Severe Drought Continues in CA

There is a grim forecast for the State of California’s Drought situation. Although there was favorable rainfall in April (and some snow), that did little to alter the trajectory of sapped water supplies. This is the third year in a row when drought has created multiple challenges for the State.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Contact information.

• [email protected]
• Fountaingrove Center 3558 Round Barn Blvd. Suite 200 Santa Rosa, CA 95403

The California Fire Prevention Organization is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) public benefit organization. We partner with cities, fire agencies and other non-profits throughout the State to deliver services and programs designed to bolster community resilience. Our wildfire, fire safety, earthquake, and first aid education, and training will save lives, and help to build a stronger California. We operate with grants and gifts, and do not take funds from a fire department’s general fund. Our highly trained members are first responders (EMS, FIRE, Etc.) and work diligently to support the communities in which we work.

©2015 – 2023, California Fire Prevention Organization, All Rights Reserved. 

Use of Cookies

We use “cookies” – including third-party cookies – to collect information about how visitors use the California Fire Prevention Organization website. Cookies help us give you the best possible experience, continually improve our sites and provide you with offers that are tailored to your interests.

The information collected via cookies can also be processed outside of the United States, for example in Canada or the EU.

By clicking the “Accept all” button you agree to the use of these cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time.

School visits & programs

Fantastic Fire Department® offers an exciting, interactive experience for kids ages 2 and up. Our big red firetruck is ideal for pre-schools, daycares, elementary schools, after-school programs, and summer camps! Year-round, we offer exciting programs your students will love! Our programs can be tailored to your students' age group, group size, and even can be integrated with the curriculum at many schools. For summer, we have created a unique Summer Water Day Program that has proven to be very popular with Valley schools and camps! We offer educational institutions very affordable special pricing.

Entertain & Educate

Considering a visit from the "real" fire department instead? You'll find we are much better suited to the needs of educational institutions and well worth the small investment, especially considering all the advantages we offer. Your local fire department's main objective is to put out fires and rescue citizens, so they often won't be able to come to your school if an emergency comes up. Our truck, equipment, activities and staff are all completely kid-focused and designed for education and fun. We're far more than just a big red fire truck...we are a hands-on, fully interactive and immersive experience designed to spark children's imaginations. We are the experts at entertaining and educating children with an adventure they will be talking about for months.

Contact us for an overview of pricing and program options.

Ready to book your Fantastic Fire Department event? Call us at 602-324-7100 .

Arizona's fire truck adventure for kids!

Have a real fire truck at your child's next birthday party!

Fantastic Fire Department Phoenix, Arizona Tel: 602-324-7100

Click below to visit our other children's entertainment concepts!

• Our Supporters

Catherine Toth Fox: I’ll Never Get To Hike Haiku Stairs — And That’s OK

Shootz! The Passing Of An Icon And Celestial Bodies

Ben Lowenthal: The Surprising Persistence Of Conservatism In True Blue Hawaii

Proponents Look To Create A New Hawaii Marine Sanctuary ASAP In Case Of A Trump Return

This State Agency Transformed Kakaako. Should It Do The Same For Lahaina?

• Special Projects
• Mobile Menu

A Low-Income Housing Complex Is Ready To Rebuild After Lahaina Fire. It Just Needs $36M

The developer of the 89-unit project is the first to obtain building permits in the burn zone. Now the county and state are being asked to pick up the cost of what insurance didn't cover.

The developer of the 89-unit project is the first to obtain building permits in the burn zone. Now the county and state are being asked to pick up the cost of what insurance didn’t cover.

The $64 million Kaiaulu o Kupuohi apartment complex for low-income families in Lahaina was reduced to rubble less than a year after it was built, one of more than 2,220 structures destroyed by the Aug. 8 wildfire.

But while much of the town still looks like a war zone, the 89-unit, five-story complex — with views of the ocean and West Maui Mountains — is on a fast track to be rebuilt.

It is the first and only property in the roughly five-mile burn zone to obtain a county building permit. The insurance money is in the bank. Almost all of the debris has been removed. And a general contractor, Honolulu-based Maryl Group Construction , is in place.

Tenants could be moving back into it by June 2025, the developer says, likely paying rents somewhere between $602 for a one-bedroom to $1,766 for a three-bedroom unit.

“We just need $36 million,” said Tom Fischer, executive vice president of Ikaika Ohana , the project developer.

That’s the gap between the $44 million that is left from insurance proceeds — after paying $5.8 million for expedited cleanup work that the developer did on its own — and the current $80 million cost of rebuilding the complex. The cost went up more than 25% in the 40 months since the original price was set due to increases in building materials and labor costs.

On Tuesday, Ikaika Ohana and its investors met with county officials and members of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp .

“We’re trying to get people to the table to see what we can do,” Fischer said before the meeting. “I’m hopeful that in this meeting, someone’s going to say they’re going to by proclamation or ordinance or whatever, approve a $36 million line item for this project so we can get going.”

While that didn’t happen, Fischer said the meeting was productive, adding that “everyone is trying to find a way to move forward.” Fischer will make his case for funding before the Maui County Council on Thursday when it takes up the new Department of Housing budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The original project on Kupuohi Street in the Lahaina Business Park — located on the edge of the burn zone where the water has been deemed safe and its underground utilities weren’t destroyed — was financed primarily by Hunt Capital, the Bank of Hawaii and federal, state and county funding. At its blessing in December 2022, the project was heralded as a much-needed source of affordable housing for households earning 60% or below the area median income, which at the time equated to making no more than $48,660 for a single person or $69,480 for a family of four.

Some people living in the units were at 30% AMI, “which is considered low-low income,” Fischer said.

Since the disaster, Fischer said Ikaika Ohana has been moving at warp speed because it has a 25-month window to rebuild the complex under a timeline mandated by the IRS that oversees the federal tax credit program for low-income housing.

“We have to be done by Sept. 30, 2025,” he said. “It’s a cliff. If we’re not done at this point in time, all of our tax credits would then be recaptured and our investors would lose all of their tax credit equity.”

The state requested an extension, but it has not received a response.

The company is also moving quickly because it wants to get the 89 families — about 300 people — who were living in the building back into stable housing. Fischer said that while it is fortunate everyone was able to make it out alive, many are now living in hotels, couch-surfing or sleeping in tents or cars.

The county has been supportive of the rebuild, he said, with several departments working with the developer to expedite the process. The building permit was issued Dec. 21.

“The housing project is one of the closest to being shovel-ready for rebuilding in West Maui,” said Saumalu Mataafa, deputy director of the Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns.

Fischer said he and other company officials and investors also thought the state was supportive of the rebuild and were expecting to discuss their $36 million funding request when they attended a Feb. 14 meeting with the HHFDC, which had provided $17.1 million in Rental Housing Revolving Funds during the original construction.

But he said they were blindsided by HHFDC telling them the complex had been underinsured. Fischer said the company insured the complex to the maximum it was allowed, and that HHFDC and the other investors signed off on the insurance coverage.

“If there was a better insurance policy on the market, we would have obtained it,” Fischer said during testimony last week at a Maui County Council budget committee hearing.

In a written response, HHFDC said it never signed off or approved of the insurance coverage. It also said that with Ikaika Ohana having a gap in its insurance coverage, “We cannot provide a project grant as it requested.”                    

Fischer said while the project investors allowed insurance proceeds to be used for the cleanup, they will not allow those proceeds to be used on construction until the gap funding is secured.

On Tuesday, a crew was working on the final remediation of the site, which included demolition of the remaining podium deck where it attaches to the footers with rebar.

When that work is completed in the next couple of weeks, Fischer said, “We’ll have gone as far as we can without funding. … We’re kind of at a standstill.”

He said it’s disheartening given the great progress so far.

As soon as the company was allowed back on the property in October, a crew of about 30 people that included general contractors and professional engineers worked on a remediation plan that was made easier because the building was new and did not have lead or asbestos.

Instead of waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers, the company quickly created an alternative debris removal plan that was approved by the county, allowing the non-recyclable debris to be taken to the Central Maui Landfill.

The crew assessed what could be saved of the property, which included the subsurface infrastructure, the podium columns and footers, parts of the elevator shafts and most of the retaining walls — a value of about $8 million in materials and labor but worth considerably more with the time savings of about a year.

There could have been much more to save of the building, which featured 20 one-bedroom, 34 two-bedroom and 35 three-bedroom apartments.

A day after the fire, photos show that at least half of the building appeared to be mostly intact, but it seems no effort was made by the Maui Fire Department to put out the blaze which continued until nothing was left except for the columns, the podium deck, an elevator shaft and two stairwells.

“If we were able to drop a couple buckets of helicopter water on top, would the rebuild price have been less?” council member Tamara Paltin asked Fischer last week.

“It was a terrible tragedy in Lahaina,” he said. “I’m certain it was quite chaotic in the scene on the 8th when the wildfire was raging. But to your point, I think the 9th, 10th and 11th, we just sort of observed really no activity to try to put the fire out. And the building literally just disintegrated over a three-day period.”

Fischer said the company would not be requesting more funding had the remaining part of the building been saved.

“We should do the right thing and build it back,” Paltin said after last week’s meeting.

The Maui Fire Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Ikaika Ohana, which has a track record of completing affordable housing projects throughout Hawaii, also is well underway on another 200-unit affordable complex in Lahaina called Kaiaulu o Kukuia. It suffered moderate wind, smoke and ash damage from the disaster, but the first phase is expected to have people move in by the end of the year.

The county said there are 12 other building permit applications pending in the burn zone.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.

--> Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed. --> Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed.

Before you go.

Civil Beat is a small nonprofit newsroom that provides free content with no paywall. That means readership growth alone can’t sustain our journalism.

The truth is that less than 1% of our monthly readers are financial supporters. To remain a viable business model for local news, we need a higher percentage of readers-turned-donors.

Will you consider becoming a new donor today?  

About the Author

Top Stories

Emails Reveal A State Senator’s Unrelenting Demands On The University Of Hawaii

Maui’s Recent Wildfires Convinced The County Council That The Emergency Budget Needs Beefing Up

Beth Fukumoto: Hawaii Needs To Get More Creative To Hire More Young Public Workers

Jonathan Okamura: Intermarriage In Hawaii Doesn’t Mean We’re Poisoning Our Blood

John Pritchett: Steamed

The Weekly News Quiz: April 12

Get in-depth reporting on hawaii’s biggest issues, sign up for our free morning newsletter.

You're officially signed up for our daily newsletter, the Morning Beat. A confirmation email will arrive shortly.

In the meantime, we have other newsletters that you might enjoy. Check the boxes for emails you'd like to receive.

• Breaking News Alerts What's this? Be the first to hear about important news stories with these occasional emails.
• Special Projects & Investigations What's this? You'll hear from us whenever Civil Beat publishes a major project or investigation.
• Environment What's this? Get our latest environmental news on a monthly basis, including updates on Nathan Eagle's 'Hawaii 2040' series.
• Ideas What's this? Get occasional emails highlighting essays, analysis and opinion from IDEAS, Civil Beat's commentary section.

Inbox overcrowded? Don't worry, you can unsubscribe or update your preferences at any time.

How to see Trump during his rally in Pa. on Saturday

• Published: Apr. 11, 2024, 12:05 p.m.

Supporters of President Donald Trump line Route 100 on May 14, 2020, ahead of his first visit to the Lehigh Valley. (Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com, file) Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

• Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com

Former President Donald Trump is coming to the Lehigh Valley .

Thousands are expected to show up Saturday at the Schnecksville Fire Company fairgrounds in North Whitehall Township , according to Lehigh County Republican Committee Chairman Joe Vichot.

How many thousands? He’s not sure.

“I heard 3,000 initially,” said Vichot, who said he’s one of the event organizers but doesn’t have firsthand knowledge of how many people are expected.

“Ten thousand was the latest number I heard,” he said.

He said the Trump campaign is creating a makeshift outdoor arena on the fairgrounds. The campaign wants to accommodate as many people as it can, Vichot said.

Those who want to attend can register for a free ticket online . However, the ticket won’t guarantee you a spot at the rally, Vichot said.

Gates open at 3 p.m. Saturday. Trump is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. However, if you get there when the gates open, you may be too late to get in, Vichot said.

“I’ve heard rumors there were people thinking about camping out the night before,” he said.

Parking arrangements are also in the works, he said. It’s unclear how far attendees will have to park for Saturday’s rally.

Security will be handled by the Secret Service with the help of local law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police has arranged to close roads as the former president is expected to arrive.

The Lehigh Valley is a swing region in a swing state. “This is the place. If you can do well in the Lehigh Valley, you’re going to do well across the state,” Vichot said.

“Pennsylvania’s electoral votes very well could be the deciding factor on who becomes the president of the United States,” added Glenn Geissinger, the chairman of the Northampton County Republican Committee. He plans to attend the rally and has been in contact with Vichot to help organize the event.

Trump came to the Lehigh Valley twice during his 2020 campaign: to Hanover Township, Northampton County , and to Upper Macungie Township .

Rudy Miller may be reached at [email protected] .

Pa. voters’ thoughts about Biden vs. Trump matter more than national polls | John Baer

Pa. drive-in movie theater delays 90th anniversary gala over Trump visit

Biden’s 10-point lead over Trump in new Pa. poll nearly disappears when other candidates are included

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Fire at Bernie Sanders' Vermont office investigated as arson

A fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders' Vermont office is being investigated as arson, the Burlington Fire Department said Friday.

Firefighters were dispatched Friday morning to the building that houses the independent senator's only congressional office in the state. They found "a fire in the vestibule between the elevator and the entrance door to [Sanders'] office," the fire department said in a news release.

Police in Burlington said "an unknown male subject entered the vestibule" of Sanders' office and then "sprayed an apparent accelerant on the entrance door."

"He then lit the accelerant and fled," the police statement said. It also said that a "significant fire engulfed the door and part of the vestibule, impeding the egress of staff members who were working in the office and endangering their lives."

There were no reported injuries. The door to Sanders' office was damaged by the fire and other parts of the building had water damage.

The suspect has not been apprehended, and there is no known motive, according to police.

“We are grateful to the Burlington Fire and Police Departments who responded immediately today to a fire incident that took place in our office building,” said Sanders’ state director Kathryn Van Haste in a statement. “We are relieved that no one on our staff and, to our understanding, no one in the building was harmed.”

Van Haste said that U.S. Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms are coordinating with local first responders.

The Burlington Fire Marshal’s office, Burlington Police Department and Vermont State Police are conducting a joint investigation.

A spokesperson for the state police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night.

The suspected arson comes as Capitol Police recorded an uptick in threat assessment cases last year. Police investigated more than 8,000 cases — about 500 more than the previous year — including cases involving "concerning statements and direct threats," according to a January release .

Sanders, 82, is in his third term as senator. He previously served in the House for 16 years, and before that was mayor of Burlington, where he lives with his wife.

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’
• April 5, 2024   •   29:11 An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth
• April 4, 2024   •   32:37 Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem

How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid

With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Rowan Niemisto ,  Dan Powell ,  Pat McCusker and Will Reid

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

Background reading

How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Advertisement