Rates increased and franchise agreement discussed

SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Fire Board discussed pursuing a franchise agreement and voted to increase rates for service at their March 19 meeting.

Seeley Lake Fire Chief Dave Lane brought up the franchise agreement to start the discussion of whether it was needed or not for the Seeley Lake Fire District. Currently Missoula Emergency Services Incorporated (MESI) has a franchise agreement with Missoula County to provide county-wide ambulance service.

Lane thinks that because the District is a political subdivision within Missoula County with its own jurisdiction, it could have its own franchise agreement. This would designate the District as the sole ambulance provider for its jurisdiction. This would eliminate the possibility of MESI or any private ambulance company operating an ambulance out of Seeley Lake and competing with the District for service.

Lane added the agreement wouldn’t prevent the District from calling in mutual aid but it would prevent another service from coming in and protecting the area.

Because of MESI’s franchise agreement for Missoula County, Lane said the Seeley Lake ambulance has to get permission from MESI to transport a patient from Missoula to Seeley Lake or it is a violation and they are fined. However, because the District does not have a franchise agreement, MESI can transport a patient from Seeley Lake without informing the District and there is no recourse. Also, the agreement would end the possibility of a private ambulance service be available within the District, like has been tried in the past.

Board Chair Scott Kennedy and vice chair Gary Lewis agreed that they did not feel it was necessary. However the board agreed to have Lane call the District Attorney’s office to see if it is needed, find out what the process is for the agreement and what the District would need to do to maintain it.

Lane presented the board with increased rates for the ambulance. He presented that the District’s ambulance rates are well below surrounding partners and they haven’t been raised in years. Medicare also reimburses a portion of the cost.

Currently the District charges $15 per loaded mile. Lane said surrounding ambulance services charge between $20-27 per loaded mile. Lane proposed $22 as a compromise.

“That is well within the norm and not on the high side,” said Lane.

Lane also presented an increase from $50 to $150 for 9-1-1 response. While this seemed like a big jump, he said this is still below what other providers charge and, as part of the Fire Recovery Act, often insurance companies and Medicare reimburse a portion of the cost.

“You are now starting to see [in the eastern part of the country] that people are starting to bill for the response to a car crash or other things they didn’t bill for before,” said Lane. “They are finding that insurance companies have already put money aside for that.”

Lane said since auto insurance is required for everyone driving, all car insurance sets aside $500 for emergency response. There is no deductible. The person doesn’t see the bill unless they don’t have insurance.

Lane said the District has started charging this and have sent three bills out. However, they do not charge for welfare checks and are willing to help when necessary. It becomes an issue when the volunteers become someone’s only resource. If this happens Lane will explain that they will start getting charged for a response.

“We have to be careful because we can’t be unfair and bill one person and not the next when the call is exactly the same,” said Lane. “We have to use our guidelines in billing practices to decide if we are going to bill this or not.”

Lewis said he just didn’t want to see the service get away from the small community feeling however he also doesn’t want to see the service abused.

“We are going to help as many people as we can and we do the best that we can all the time,” said Lane.

When asked by the board, Lane clarified that taxes paid to the District are to support the facility, equipment, wages, training and operations. This does not include the service provided.

The board voted unanimously to approve the billing increases.

The next board meeting is scheduled for April 16 at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall. For the agenda and other information visit

seeleyfire.org.