PLACENTIA : Fire Dept. Fee Plan Gets City Approval

The City Council has approved an Orange County Fire Department plan to charge fees for false alarms and some fire prevention services.

Under an ordinance passed unanimously last week, fines ranging from $109 to $538 will be charged for each false alarm. The charge will depend on the number of times an alarm goes off, and on whether it was intentionally or accidentally tripped.

The Fire Department will not impose fees the first time an alarm accidentally goes off due to malfunctions, negligence or the misuse of the alarm system. Fees will be imposed if residents or businesses fail to notify the Fire Department of additional work to or testing on alarm systems. In addition, anyone who intentionally pulls an alarm other than to test a system will face misdemeanor penalties.

Another ordinance imposes a series of fees for fire prevention services, including checking plans, reviewing new construction, checking fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and reinspecting businesses. Fees also will be charged for certain permits, such as holding fireworks displays and storing hazardous materials. Councilwoman Maria Moreno abstained from voting on the ordinance, citing concerns over the costs of the services.

County officials said the new fees will pass on the cost of fire services from the general taxpayer to individual users. They added that other fire departments impose similar fees.

The new fees are expected to generate $114,000 for fire protection in Placentia alone, city officials said. Placentia will collect a 10% administrative charge for collecting any fees that are passed on to the County Fire Department.

For the last few months, Placentia, along with other cities that contract with the County Fire Department, have expressed concerns over the rising costs of fire protection.

The City Council voted to spend up to $500 on legal fees to study plans to form the new district.