Blue Mountains town hall - Metroland File Photo
The Town of the Blue Mountains sent a hiker who was injured this past August a $9,500 bill after the fire department had to rescue him.
And council is not willing to waive the fee.
According to a letter on the Dec. 2 council agenda, Artur Makos was visiting the area from Astorville, near North Bay.
Makos was hiking in the Kolapore Uplands when he was injured. He was accessing an area called the "swamp," which is a 40-minute hike from the entrance to the trail.
Interim fire Chief Steve Conn told council that Makos fell about 30 feet and suffered injuries to his back and hip.
Makos said that an acquaintance he was hiking with called 911, and firefighters arrived about two hours later.
Conn said about 20 firefighters were on scene and spent nearly five hours rescuing Makos.
Because the hiking was deemed high-risk, the town sent a bill to Makos for $9,500.
“This was a significant amount of time firefighters did spend on this call, and that’s why this gentleman was billed for that. It didn’t fall 100 per cent on the back of the taxpayers,” Conn said.
Makos said he was grateful for the service provided by the firefighters, and was using the trail “in good will” and “according to its purpose.”
He was aware of a $45 fee for 911 when a person from another municipality uses the service, but had no idea that he would be billed for fire department services — and was “shocked” when he received the invoice.
Makos said his insurance company won’t cover him and sent a letter asking that council waive the fees.
“The cost I am being billed for is a substantial burden to me and my family,” he wrote.
Council turned down his request.
Coun. Rob Sampson asked if it would be appropriate for the town to install signage warning hikers that, if they venture into a high-risk area, they will be billed for any emergency services required.
“I am not in favour of accepting the rebate. What’s done has been done,” Sampson said.
CAO Shawn Everitt said the town does have these fees included in its annual budget.
“These are fees and charges that we have not pulled out of the air,” he said.
Link to original article on simcoe.com: No refunds: Blue Mountains won’t rebate hiker who was billed $9,500 for rescue