Who pays for the volunteer fire department?
Answer:
People who reside and operate businesses in the fire district area pay for fire protection through dues that are assessed on an annual basis. These dues, along with public and private donations/grants fund the operation and capital needs of the fire department. West Pulaski Fire Department is a non-profit organization (501(c)3) with good fiscal management that works to continually improve services and capabilities within our budgeted revenue.
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How much are my dues owed to the West Pulaski Fire Department each year?
Answer:
Residential property owners are charged $95.00* annually.
*Note that from a public election on May 30, 2023, it was voted to increase annual fire dues from $50.00 to $95.00 starting in 2024.
Commercial property owners are charged $180.00** annually.
**Note that from a public election on May 30, 2024, it was voted to increase annual fire dues on commercial properties from $100 to $180.00 starting in 2024
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I thought my dues were paid with sales taxes.
Answer:
WPFD provides services in a registered fire district located in non-incorporated areas in Pulaski, Saline, and Perry Counties. There are no ‘City or County sales tax’ payments made to fund the West Pulaski Fire Department like a municipal ‘city’ can do. Since there is no incorporated municipality (city) within our district, a ‘Volunteer’ organization was created to provide fire protection to residents and business owners in our area. WPFD serves an area known as Pulaski County Fire District #23.
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Are my dues to WPFD paid with my annual real estate property tax payment?
Answer 1:
YES-If you live within 5 miles of a WPFD fire station in Pulaski County or Saline County, your dues are assessed (automatically charged) on your annual residential real estate property tax bill. When you pay your Pulaski or Saline County Real Estate Taxes, in full, your dues are sent to WPFD. (Please review your annual tax statement or check with your Tax Assessor to ensure your fire department dues were assessed/paid to avoid any lapse in coverage and per-incident charges).
Answer 2:
If you live greater than 5 miles from WPFD Station #1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, you should receive an annual notice/statement from WPFD by mail on a quarterly basis. You should get the first notice in the first quarter of the year (usually) and then any further notices should follow on unpaid dues on a quarterly basis throughout the year. You can always contact our business office at 501-821-9320 or email wpfd@sbcglobal.net for more information about dues.
Answer 3:
If you live near our new WPFD Station #6 at 3006 Brush Mountain Trail you may still receive a paper invoice (Pulaski and Saline residents) while we work to add your addresses to the automated billing process for what we hope will be a part of your Real Estate Tax Invoice under Special Improvements section in 2025.
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I just moved into the district and need to make sure my dues are paid to my insurance company.
Answer:
If you just built a home or moved to our district, don’t wait for us to notify you that your dues have not been received. If you have a new structure on your property where previously you had none, then you should register with WPFD as soon as possible and pay dues for the current year.
Register today with WPFD immediately by calling us at 501-821-9320 (leave a message) or emailing your name address and contact information to wpfd@sbcglobal.net. A payment of $95.00* for residential or $180.00* for commercial structures for annual dues should be mailed to our fire district office at:
2810 Whispering Pine Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210
*Note that dues increased to $95.00 for residential structures and $180.00 for commercial structures beginning in 2024.
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I am not yet registered with WPFD and am beginning to build on my property, when do I pay my dues?
Answer:
The owner of the property must register with WPFD at any time vacant or unimproved land has a structure placed (including mobile property) or when building construction begins. Even if you are a home builder who plans to sell the property upon construction completion, registration for fire protection is needed when construction begins and proof of paid fire dues is usually required by your insurance carrier.
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Where do I send my annual dues payment?
Answer:
Send a check with your name, phone number, billing address and the address of the property to be registered (if different) to:
West Pulaski Fire Department
Attn: Fire District Assessor-Fire Dues
2810 Whispering Pines Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72210
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I paid my dues to WPFD, does the fire department charge an additional fee to respond to an emergency at my address?
Answer:
No, the West Pulaski Fire Department will not charge additional fees to to respond to your incident IF you are a paid dues member.
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What if I have not paid my fire dues for the current year and I have to call 911?
Answer:
If your membership is NOT current, WPFD will still respond to your emergency, however, you could be liable for reimbursement of costs incurred by the fire department for responding to your emergency (including manpower, apparatus (trucks), equipment, and fuel). This can add up to a sizeable amount very quickly. Please don’t let your membership lapse.