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The West Salem Fire Protection District might begin charging for fire calls if budgeting for equipment becomes a problem.

WSFPD Board President Reuben Oldenburg said he doesn’t anticipate that the board will have to implement a user fee, but it has been a topic of discussion since November as the board looks at ways to fund firefighter equipment and a new tanker truck.

“This particular user fee is just a thought if we don’t have enough money, but I certainly hope that won’t come to pass,” Oldenburg said. “It’s just something that’s just come up. I don’t look for that to happen and we’re trying to make every effort to be able to raise enough money (for equipment).”

In its 36-year history, the fire protection district has never charged businesses or individuals on a regular basis for the fire department to respond to a fire call. However, board Secretary-Treasurer Merlin Wehrs said the district has been able to recoup the cost of water, foam and firefighter wages in some instances where property owners contacted the district and said their insurance would cover a bill.

Wehrs also said the state would reimburse the fire district up to $500 when the department responds to a car fire on the interstate. He said the district has been able to collect on some instances like that, but, when they have sent a bill and not received payment, the district cannot enforce collection because it does not have an official policy.

Dating back to 1998, Wehrs said the district has sent out bills and been able to recoup costs in about six instances, the highest being about $1,950 while the lowest was $50.

“My feeling on that is if I’m paying an insurance premium, my insurance covers expenses that are billed to property owners because of a fire, and I can’t use it because I don’t have a bill from the fire department,” Wehrs said. “I don’t see anything wrong with (billing for fire calls).”

Wehrs said the department responds to 80 to 90 calls a year, although only five to 10 of those are fire-related, such as a structural fire, a car fire or a grass fire. Wehrs said he estimates that the department could recoup about $5,000 a year if the district begins charging for fire calls.

Fire Chief Dave Munson did not return a phone call for comment, but Wehrs said opponents of creating a user fee have stated that people might be hesitant about calling the fire department because they’d be billed.

Either way, Oldenburg said he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

“We’re blessed to have a very dedicated group of firemen,” Oldenburg said. “We hope everything will come out in the end to get the money we need to keep them safe so they can do their job.”

The WSFPD now conducts its budget cycle on a calendar year to better coincide with budgets of the municipalities it serves; the district’s budget previously ran July to June.

In order for a fire call charge to be implemented, each municipality the district covers — West Salem, Barre and Hamilton — would have to approve the change.