SURFSIDE BEACH, SC- Visitors driving through Surfside Beach might have to be a little more cautious behind the wheel. Town Council is considering a proposal that would result in a set of fees for non-residents involved in a car accident.
The fees would off-set the fire department’s response costs.
“The fire department in all respect is expensive. The equipment is expensive, diesel is expensive,” said Surfside Beach Fire Chief Anthony Fox.
Although Surfside Beach is a relatively small town, Fox said the fire department stays busy.
” It puts wear and tear on the tools, sometimes it can become damaged depending on the situation and you have to keep them up,” he said.
Maintaining equipment costs money. Surfside residents already pay a mileage fee that goes towards fire services, but Fox said the town has ten times as many visitors.
“We would be choosing not to bill Surfside residents twice,” stated Fox.
The department plans to incorporate an app called InnovaPad into the system. The app files a claim with the insurance of the driver. That’s only if the driver is at fault for the collision. Fox told News 13 the app doesn’t target individuals, rather insurance companies.
The InnovaPad website reads:
” Automobile insurance policies provide for the reimbursement of fire services rendered and/or materials used with no penalty to the policy owner.”
Fox said the fees apply to all incidents in which equipment is lost, damaged or destroyed. The proposal to use the app will need to go through a public hearing and a second reading with Town Council before it is approved.
