By Michael Johnson, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio 鈥� Parma鈥檚 proposed Fire Department fee overhaul would raise the cost of CPR and first-aid training, inspections and many permits, with some individual charges increasing by as much as 60%.
The changes are not yet in effect. Ordinance 126-26 received its first reading Aug. 3 and was referred to City Council鈥檚 Finance Committee. The next committee and council meetings are scheduled for Sept. 8.
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These are five takeaways from the , which examined how much Parma鈥檚 Fire Department fees could rise and who would be affected.
1. CPR and first-aid classes would see some of the largest increases
Training fees account for the steepest percentage increases in the proposal.
For a six-person class, Heartsaver/AED training would rise from $350 to $540. CPR/AED/first-aid training would increase from $550 to $790, and health care provider training would rise from $460 to $700.
The $240 increases for the latter two classes come from higher instructor fees and higher per-student charges.
2. Some individual charges would rise by 60%
The proposed increases range from about 11% to 60% among fees that would change.
The per-student charge for Heartsaver/AED and CPR/AED/first-aid classes would rise from $25 to $40, a 60% increase. The instructor fee for health care provider training also would rise 60%, from $250 to $400.
Those increases exceed the 25% to 30% range Fire Chief Lewis Davis previously described when discussing the proposal with .
3. Businesses and property owners would pay many of the permit increases
Most of the fee changes outside training involve inspections, construction permits or operating permits.
Many specialized permits that now cost $25 would rise to $35, a 40% increase. They include permits involving certain fire-suppression systems, hazardous materials, industrial ovens, private fire hydrants, hot work and larger tents or canopies.
Other examples include a hazardous-production-materials facility permit rising from $50 to $75 and an explosives permit increasing from $75 to $100.
4. Not every Fire Department charge would increase
Some fees would remain unchanged.
Parma would keep the $50 charge for a third or subsequent reinspection, along with several fees involving flammable and combustible liquid tanks. The proposal also would not change the city鈥檚 separate ambulance and emergency medical service fees.
The measure would add one new charge: 65 cents for each fire-alarm device over 25.
5. Council has not approved the higher fees
The proposed rates remain pending before City Council.
The city says the increases are needed to cover higher operating costs. Parma appropriated $13.03 million for Fire Department spending in the 2026 General Fund, including $12.63 million for personnel, but the ordinance does not estimate how much additional revenue the new fees would generate.
If approved by two-thirds of council and the mayor, the ordinance says the fees would take effect immediately. Otherwise, they would take effect at the earliest time allowed by law.
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