Scots fire service may charge £342 to rescue cat

CATS saved from trees by fire fighters could land their owners with a bill of almost £350 under a new charging policy by fire chiefs.

Scotland's fire service are to introduce new non-emergency charges. Picture: TSPL

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is introducing a price list for attending all non-emergency incidents and industrial training events. They charge firefighters out at £24 an hour, crew managers at £27 an hour, and fire engines at £285, all plus VAT.

Drivers involved in crashes could face a fire brigade fee for clearing hazardous roadside spillages and homeowners could pay for summoning firemen to pump out flood water or rescue their cat if it is stuck up a tree.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said that other non-emergency incidents crews attend include freeing people from jammed lifts and gaining entry to premises.

Fire authorities have more freedom to charge after a revision in the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 in February.

The charges are expected to bring in £136,000 a year.

They are based on the expected actual cost of delivery to the Fire Service, including overheads.