Springfield To Start Charging Assisted Living Facilities For Excessive Lift Assist Calls

Assisted living Communities in Springfield will start being charged for excessive assist to lift calls. The new ordinance which passed the Springfield City Council in May states facilities will receive their first two lift assist calls free each year. Subsequent calls will incur a fee of $350 per call. The ordinance specifically targets facilities that frequently request assistance, aiming to reduce the burden on the fire department. New Springfield Fire Chief Nick Zummo stressed the goal of the ordinance is not to deter people from calling 911. “We don’t want this to be a deterrent from anyone ever calling 911 because they’re afraid it may or may not be an emergency in terms of enforcement.”