Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. last week proposed legislation to block the city Fire Department from charging motorists when firefighters respond to vehicle accidents.

Fire officials, backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, announced on December 9 that, starting July 1, 2011, the FDNY would charge motorists involved in vehicle crashes and other incidents rates ranging from $365 to $490 depending on the type of response necessary.

“I don’t believe that people should have to factor in the cost of lifesaving measures when they call 911,” Vallone, chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee said.

“Nine-One-One has always been a free service and I believe it should stay that way,” Vallone declared.

The plan to charge motorists was designed by fire officials to raise cash in light of Bloomberg’s most recent round of city budget cuts, an FDNY spokesperson said.

Under the plan, which is expected to raise more than $1 million a year, motorists would be charged:

•$490 for a vehicle fire or incident involving injuries.

•$415 for a vehicle fire without injuries and.

•$365 for all other vehicle incidents without injuries.

Vallone protested that the plan would set a precedent for other first responders, including the Police Department (NYPD).

“What’s next?” Vallone asked. “Will the NYPD say, ‘There’s too much shoplifting at your store, so we’re going to have to charge you the next time we have to come here’?”

Vallone said his proposed legislation would ban the FDNY, NYPD and any other public safety agency from charging fees to respond to 911 calls covered by existing tax payments. Vallone said that the legislation would require public service agencies to obtain approval from the full council before they apply any fees.

Fire officials said the FDNY doesn’t need city council approval to implement the plan and said they are counting on insurance companies to pay the fees under auto insurance plans.

But the head of the New York State Insurance Department said insurance companies would probably balk at making the payments.

The FDNY, which responds to approximately 14,000 vehicle accidents each year, will target only motorists who are at fault in car crashes, a department spokesperson said. –Liz Goff