News With a View

Chesterfield Residents Shoulder Cost for Fire, EMS Dispatching

Because dispatch fees are based on assessed property valuations, Chesterfield residents are paying more than $40 per call over what other communities are paying.

Chesterfield residents are paying far more than their fair share for dispatching fire and ambulance calls in West County. In fact, along with Town and Country property owners, they are paying part of the cost for people in Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur and Manchester, plus portions of unincorporated St. Louis County and Franklin County.  The Central Country Emergency 911 Center in Ellisville dispatches fire and EMS services for five St. Louis County fire districts and two Franklin County ambulance districts. Under a separate contract, they also dispatch for Town and Country, which contracts fire and EMS services with West County EMS and Fire Protection District.   Right now, Chesterfield residents are paying $42.51 over the actual cost per…