This just makes me sick!

[Chicken Choozer]

I can proudly say that I am and have been a Volunteer Firefighter for 21 years in my small town here in central Florida. Our fire department has never charged a fire fee since its existence in 1926. This country is made up of over 70 percent Volunteer Departments that respond 24-7 to any and all fires,wrecks, and emergencies of every kind, every day. Those brave men and women risk their lives everyday to save others and are proud to do so. This Department needs to revamp the way that they operate or establish a separate taxing unit for their outside coverage area. Blatantly Wrong!!!!!

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
*cheers*

 

[Wisher1000]

The community, at first, had no fire protection. It was outside of corporate limits and the people who lived in the area were happy not to be paying the higher taxes that those inside the city limits paid, even though those taxes provided needed services. Then, several members of the community got together to talk about what would be done if there was a fire. They had a meeting and invited any interested parties to attend. Those attendees decided that they would train, on their own time and dime, to fight fires as safely as they could and realised that they needed equipment. They paid for the equipment themselves and intended to use it for their own homes. They then decided to include anyone in the community who wanted to participate. Participation was voluntary and would include either a yearly fee (donation) to support the volunteers or actual time and effort through fire fighting, EMT service, fundraising, etc. The suggestion was made to levy a tax on property to support the volunteer fire department but the land owners (who owned a lot of land with no structures on it) were against it. The word was spread through the community that the service was available and about half the members of the community responded. The other half, either consciously or not, neglected to participate. Should the group then spend their own money, time, safety, etc, to protect the property of the second half, who didn't care to participate or pay?

The above circumstance is generic and not specific to the article, but it is typical of rural communities all over the country. They came out and made sure no one got hurt. That's more than they had to do. We get too used to government providing for us and forget that we are not entitled to it. If you can't afford it, you shouldn't get it. That applies to cars, vacations, cigarettes, beer, jewelry, and yes, fire protection. If they put out the fire, there would be many others who paid the fee that would think "why bother?" Yes, it is sad when a fire takes a home but it is up to homeowners to prepare for that possibility, not their neighbors. I think the fire fighters wished that the owners had supported them so that they could have jumped in there and done all they could. Mutual support, not one sided. The people who refused to pay the fee thumbed their noses at the fire fighters........bad move.

 

[KristyHall]

There are some things that make some communities better than others.

This same argument can be applied to police protection, schools, and food for the homeless. Part of what makes this country great is that we have established compulsitory , or good Samaritan laws, to ensure people who are in trouble, helpless, or in need are taken care of. The argument against these laws is that people will do the right thing anyway, such as donating to the homeless instead of paying a tax to provide shelter for the homeless, but this event proves that is not the case.

The firefighters should have saved the home then charged the people the fee PLUS extra for their emergency assistance. It has become a pay for service that can be denied when not paid for.

Instead they did not. They let the home burn. Why? Because the people did something stupid and did not pay a yearly fee, what ever their reason.

It raises a troubling issue. Do those who can afford it be the only ones who require protection or necessities or education? Those are all services provided by people as well.

Are we wrong to expect to have our children educated? Our lives protected by police, and our homes protected by fire fighters?

I think this societal contract we have improves the lives of everyone, even if not everyone can or does pay into the system.

To me this is a symptom of a serious problem. A sort of system set up that only those who can pay should be protected. That money is more important that doing what is right. That compassion should be shelved in favor of cold hard logic of paying money to a group with access to major equipment, to use said equipment in a fire.

Pay for protection.

 

[MeatKing]

It's unfortanute, that this happened to them.. Where we live, it's included in our taxes. That includes voulnter services.

Some people really don't have $75.00 dollars extra. But I would hope you could call the city and make instalements, 5 bucks here or there will add up..

Here you can go to fire station and get batteries for your smoke alarm for free. you can also call the fire deparment to come and to a survey of where smoke alarms should be placed.. because they want us to be safe, and I guess our taxes pay for it.
I've never had to go get batteris, but my bff did.. They were really nice, and happy to know her and her kids would be safe!

 

[Wisher1000]

I just read an artilcle on this on MSN News and the homeowner said that she and her boyfriend knew about the fee but didn't pay it because they didn't think a fire would ever happen to them. They gambled and lost. I am a compassionate person. I feel for people who are in dire straits through no fault of their own, but someone who can't help themselves is different from someone who won't help themselves and that's where I draw the line. I am stopping here because this is headed toward a discussion of welfare, socialism and the decline of society and I think all of that is too political for discussion here, besides, it is against the forum rules.

 

[emmalynn]

I live in TN in an older mobile home. I live WAAY outside the city limits. We have a volunteer fire department but there is no guarantee that they will be at the house in a timely manner. I have renter's insurance only because they are close enough to satisfy the insurane co.
I don't have $75 extra. I do good to skate by on a weekly basis. We live paycheck to paycheck. I still have insurance. I drive a beat up old car, it has insurance. I have 2 young children, we have insurance - medical, dental and life. Sure I would have more money if I didn't pay for it. Thank goodness I have not needed it and none of us are sick BUT I have to cover my butt so to speak.
This family should have done the same thing. It isn't paying for a service, it is paying for peace of mind. So their pets died, I adore my animals, but they aren't worth a human life. I would not expect anyone to go into a burning trailer for anything other than a person. They were running back in for 'things'. Why? Nobody in the building...stay out and don't go back in. The firefighters were there to perserve life not your photo album. Put it in perspective people.

 

[sourland]

On the local NYC news these people were interviewed and they said that they did not have the money to pay insurance on their trailer let alone the fee for the fire company. Without proof of insurance the fire company would not have accepted the fire protection fee. They were very matter of fact, did not blame the fire company, yet had no idea where they would be able to live. A truly sad situation from all sides.

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
those poor people

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
Glad you c an afford health and dental insurance and even a car.

Many people can't.

Firefighting is not insurance anymore than police officers are insurance. They are apart of what makes a civilized and functional society, even for those who can't afford to pay.