Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Smoky River Fire and Rescue Service fire chief Marcel Maure is reminding residents of the importance of carrying adequate insurance.
Maure notes there are expenses associated with receiving assistance during emergency situations, and it is vital that people carry enough insurance to cover the expense, should an emergency occur.
“Having adequate insurance will ensure you’re not paying out of pocket for truck rates on fire responses, motor vehicle collisions, wildfire,” notes Maure.
“We respond to all of those and they are billed out according to (M.D. of Smoky River) policy,” he adds.
Maure says wildfire insurance is covered under farm liability insurance, and he believes that extra insurance can be carried if requested.
“In case your fire does jump and run it can cost millions of dollars if you are found to be guilty,” he says. “
Rates for fire trucks in the M.D. of Smoky River are $720 per hour for fire engines, $210 for command trucks, and $100 for utility vehicles. During wildfire season the utility trucks are billed out higher because they are used as a type 6 engine, meaning they are used as a fire engine.
Maure says he has run into situations where people do not carry proper insurance.
“It is a concern, people don’t believe that we bill but to recoup expenses we do bill,” he says.
“If you are in the M.D. the invoice will come from them, if you are in a town or village it will come from your municipality,” he adds.
Unpaid bills can also be put on the individual’s municipal taxes. He has seen a range of $2,000 to just about $30,000 per call out, stressing the need to ensure proper insurance is covered.
Medical call outs are not billed, nor are rescue call outs.
Maure suggests people in towns and villages carry at least $10,000 and a minimum of at least $20,000 for rural sites.
“I recommend getting the highest amount of insurance that you can afford,” he says.
“Take your time to go through your house and document the items in your house and vehicles, save it somewhere safe. The five-minute walk around your house with your camera on ensures that when there is a fire all your items are accounted for.”
Maure says because of the trauma a lot of people forget about all the little items in their house and taking a video will help to ensure when homeowners speak to their adjuster that they can be compensated.