Oregon Fire & Rescue Seeks Rescue Fees

Oregon mountain bikers now have an extra incentive to be careful in the Ashland watershed.

The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Ashland Fire & Rescue has been allowed to recover costs from people who need medical help in remote areas.

Fire Chief John Karns says those requiring a rescue will be charged for the overtime pay of firefighters who are called in to cover for on-duty personnel diverted to the rescue. If two off-duty employees work for three hours, the rescued person would face a bill of about $300. And that’s separate from the ambulance charge.

The extra fees won’t apply to Ashland residents because they already financially support the department.

Last summer, Ashland Fire & Rescue responded to about a half-dozen mountain biking crashes in the watershed.