NEW FEES PROPOSED FOR FALSE ALARMS, GROW-OP CALLS

A new fee scheme aimed at cost recovery for the Coquitlam Fire and
Rescue service was unveiled Monday, a plan unanimously backed by
members of city council.

Outgoing chief Gord Buchanan rolled out details of the bylaw amendment
and accompanying fee scheme, which would help the service recover
costs from attending marijuana grow operations or hazardous materials
calls.

"This is not meant to place an unfair burden on services that are
already being provided to the public," Buchanan said.

"What it's meant to deal with primarily is cost recovery on such
issues as false alarm billing and excessive billing on inspections
that are over and above what's already allowed through the present
bylaw."

The fees for a false alarm are on a sliding scale, with the first
instance costing $180. The second false alarm call would garner a $240
fine, while a third offence would cost $360.

Buchanan noted that suits costing about $2,000 are sometimes used in
hazardous materials situations, and those suits can be in need of
replacement even after one use.

"This would be a cost recovery, not a moneymaker for the fire
department," Buchanan said.

Coun. Richard Stewart was concerned by the costs of tending to a
residence in which illegal drugs are suspected of being manufactured,
saying some landlords may not report illicit activity out of fear that
they will have to pay those associated costs.

"We seem to be putting a big disincentive on the innocent landlord,"
Stewart said. "We seem to nail him even if he chooses to do the right
thing and report it."

Buchanan defended the recommendation, however, stating that those
costs must be incurred the property owner instead of the city's taxpayers.