Currently, water companies can charge volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads and ambulance services stand-by fees when they have or install a sprinkler system within their facility. These stand-by fees are charged for the connection to the water system should the sprinkler system be activated. Despite sprinkler systems being thousands of times more efficient than a hose in the event of a fire, our volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads and ambulance services are facing additional and burdensome costs to maintain an important fire prevention measure. In addition, these sprinkler systems protect millions of dollars in vehicles, equipment, and gear, which are not easily replaced.   

 

In order to save volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads and ambulance services money, we will introduce legislation to no longer allow for public utility and municipal-owned water systems to charge stand-by fees when volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads and ambulance services have sprinklers. Individual homeowners are already exempt from stand-by fees charged by public utilities and our volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads and ambulance services should also be exempt. 

 

Please join us in supporting first responders by eliminating sprinkler-system stand-by fees for volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads and ambulance services.