Time to Start Paying for Volunteer Services?

Excerpt from "Electioneering on County Stationery" • January 10, 2010
By Ron Williams for The News Journal

"State fire service officials have been meeting with Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart to see how fire companies can start charging insurance companies for cleaning up after auto accidents and for the use of certain tools and equipment in rescuing victims.

Most fire companies already send bills for ambulance services which, because it's a volunteer organization, people are not obligated by law to pay. Discussions about mandatory insurance payments for ambulance use also have been held.

It would not be unprecedented. Other states allow insurance payments vor volunteer fire services and ambulance use."