NORFOLK, Neb.-- Senior care facilities are now going to be charged a fee whenever they call Norfolk Fire and Rescue for lift assistance.

The Norfolk City Council voted seven to nothing to approve an ordinance that implements the fee on Monday.

The ordinance allows the City to bill assisted living facilities and nursing care facilities for lift assist services provided by Norfolk Fire and Rescue.
 
The fire department did a comparability study with similar-sized departments and realized it charged lower fees than most.

Fire Chief Tim Wragge says it takes three to four staff members and one to two rigs to operate a lift assist.

O'Brien says they receive about 30 calls for lift assist a month. Half of them are in a care facility.

The ordinance requires living facilities to pay a $400 fee to the fire department.

The fire department says that facilities will be billed if they call for lift assist and the patient does not require treatment or transportation to a hospital.

Those who need lift assistance at home are excluded from being billed.