SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The Surfside Beach City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that would allow city firefighters to collect emergency fees from insurance companies.

The ordinance will allow city firefighters to collect fees for emergency services, but residents won’t foot the bill, their insurance companies will.

Although the city’s fire chief said that’s not a reason for residents to worry, some residents spoke to WMBF News to say they want more information.

“It seems to me what the council is proposing, it’s going to be a cost to somebody,” resident Randle Stevens said. “I suggest that all the citizens of the city look into this and do more studies on it, and I think the city council needs to do more studies on it.”

Fire Chief David Nelson said he understands there has been a lot of confusion about the ordinance and said he wants to clear it up.

“We won’t bill for any or come check your smoke detector or anytime we respond. It will be the larger calls that we will bill for,” Nelson said.

Nelson added that these larger calls will include structure fires or serious car accidents and will not be an additional burden on residents.

“From my previous experience with these types of services, it doesn’t increase your premiums or anything like that, so it’s not something to worry about,” Nelson said. “What we’re trying to do is collect the money that’s already there. A lot of firefighters aren’t even aware of it. There are certain states that don’t allow it, but we do.”

And, Nelson said, if the ordinance passes, his department will put the money toward a good cause.

“We’re just hoping to generate a little bit of revenue so we can build a training facility here,” Nelson said. “That’s one of the things that helps our fire department be more informed and faster in terms of our responses and stuff.”

The ordinance will be up for second reading at next week’s council meeting.

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