The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is undertaking a review of the prices that Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) can charge for some of its user-pays services.
Tribunal Member with IPART, Sandra Gamble said FRNSW may charge for some of its activities such as false alarm call-outs to automatic fire alarm systems; hazmat emergencies that lasted longer than an hour; and statutory fire safety inspections.
“They do not charge for attending fires and rescuing people,” Ms Gamble said.
“The funding for these activities comes from an emergency services levy paid by property insurers, local councils and the NSW Government,” she said.
Ms Gamble said IPART was seeking feedback on its Issues Paper Review of Fire and Rescue NSW’s fees and charges until 12 October and wanted to hear from people and businesses that used, or may use FRNSW.
The Tribunal Member said IPART was reviewing the fee charged for false alarms to ensure the incentives were right and worked for the community.
“FRNSW charges $1,600 in some cases when it attends an automatic fire alarm that is a false alarm,” she said.
“They attend close to 45,000 false alarms each year, which takes resources away from other operations.”
Ms Gamble said the review was not looking at the emergency services levy, or at introducing charges for the core functions funded by the levy.
She said the Tribunal would make recommendations on which services should have separate charges; how those charges should be structured to reflect costs; and what level they should be set at.
“We will then release a Draft Report and hold a public hearing before making final recommendations,” Ms Gamble said.
IPART’s 57-page Issues Paper, including information on how to have a say, can be accessed at this PS News link.
