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Good lord, there are some unbelievably harsh responses in this thread. How about compassion and tendering care towards our neighbors, even if they are numbskulls?
The man called 911, was told he didn't pay his fee, said he'd pay anything, and was told it was too late. If any of you think that is an acceptable attitude for public servants, well it's a sorry state we find ourselves in if we can no longer feel compassion for people.
So, should the same go for law enforcement? If you vote against a sheriff's levy in a rural area, should you not then receive protection and help?
There's always an after-event reckoning. The fire department could've easily billed the man for their time, use of equipment, allowing reckless burning, etc. I don't see why that would've been so difficult.
"That got me thinking, how much is a pet's life worth? Should firefighters go into a building to save an animal?"
If there's any chance a firefighter could save an animal - and not endanger their own lives - then yes, they should go into a building to try and save pets. I would hope that most would at least try. Their jobs are to protect life and property - not let animals burn to death when they could've easily prevented it.
Personal responsibility? Some of you folks had better pray you never, ever, screw up.
Allowing fires to burn uncontrolled threatens everyone. Furthermore, paperwork mistakes could make them allow a home to burn that's covered. Subscription fire service is dangerous in many ways. The reason it doesn't even exist in several states.
Allowing fires to burn uncontrolled threatens everyone. Furthermore, paperwork mistakes could make them allow a home to burn that's covered. Subscription fire service is dangerous in many ways. The reason it doesn't even exist in several states.
Doesn't it make more sense to just have this part of real estate taxes? At least the community has recourse if people don't pay (foreclosure).
Doesn't it make more sense to just have this part of real estate taxes? At least the community has recourse if people don't pay (foreclosure).
It is a decision of the people who live in that community, they chose, now they get to live with it or change their process and laws for funding rural fire protection.
Yes, the man was irresponsible and no, despite being an animal lover, I do not think that firefighters should have risked their lives to save animals that the homeowner obviously didn't care enough to protect by paying his fee or choosing to risk his own life to save.
I am so sick of people in this thread bashing the firefighters by playing by the rules by which they were bound.
Allowing fires to burn uncontrolled threatens everyone. Furthermore, paperwork mistakes could make them allow a home to burn that's covered. Subscription fire service is dangerous in many ways. The reason it doesn't even exist in several states.
An excellent point. Pay-to-play is extremely dangerous.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifelongMOgal
I am so sick of people in this thread bashing the firefighters by playing by the rules by which they were bound.
A far superior rule or duty of office by which firefighters are bound is to protect life and property. I'd bet that's in every single oath of office, in every fire department.
What would you say if, as artic pointed out, there was a clerical error and the hosers let a house burn thinking that person had not paid their fee? Oops?
Pretty illresponsible owner not thinking of his pets when refusing to pay the fee. Just anothher deadbeat trying to game the system. Bet the insurance companies start checking on whether the owenrs keep their fire protection current now and droppigthsoe that don't.
Doesn't it make more sense to just have this part of real estate taxes? At least the community has recourse if people don't pay (foreclosure).
Yeah. Or, we do have volunteer fire departments here, no subscription, they're true volunteers...they have fundraisers and get grants to pay for equipment...
Its not in their taxes because they have no fire department. they use other community fire service and thats at a subscription fee. very common is rural areas. Dont look at it like fire service, look at it for what it really is, insurance premiums to fight the fire. You pay the premium, you get the service. You don;t pay, you don;t get. Can you imagine what it would be like if instead of having car insurance, you pay nothing and when you get into an accident you demand the insurance company take your premium and pay the claim?
BTW, this guy didn't "forget" to pay the fee. He's already been quoted saying that he thought they'd put the fire out even if he didn't pay.
It's sad that he lost his home and pets, but he has no one to blame but himself.
True--and the firefighters would not have gotten workmen's comp if they had been injured in putting out the blaze because it was not in their designated
zone. However, some cities that have this type of fire force put out the fire and then issue a heavy fine with a lien on the property. This very tough
approach if enforced and followed through could be an alternative.
Then of course there is a question of getting permission on the spot to fight the fire because legally it may not work to just go ahead and then charge. The guy could say he didn't ask for help. Irresponsible people make life tough for everyone else. What if an invalid had been confined in the house?
What aboui people who don't get health coverage because they are young and healthy and then have an accident and require hospitalization and rack up bills that taxpayers have to absorb?
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