This just makes me sick!

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I agree... if they HAVE to come out... to out the fire and send them the bill for the $75 fee! Shoot charge double if you want. I don't think if that policy is in place like it is that home owners insurance companies would even allow you to have your insurance without it!? That's a legal issue with insurance and the county firefighters. Plus, what human being would stand by and watch another human suffer like that without a bit of remorse. Like telling the ambulance they don't have to drive out and save a person's life because the person they were going to rescue didn't have the money for a yearly fee for the service. I would not willing do a job that put people's lives (what they worked for as well as their physical life) in jeopardy because of 'financials'.
 
It would be more like the ambulance not coming out to drive you to the hospital for a broken leg. Your life isn't in jeopardy.

The firemen showed up to make sure that everyone was safe and that no one got hurt. Of course, since they could have just stayed in bed perhaps that is what they should do from now on. Then there wouldn't be all of this bad press.

But, if they can't be bothered to pay $75 do you honestly believe that they would pay MORE after the fact? It's not like the city said "It's 12 am, your coverage lapsed 45 seconds ago. too bad"
 
That is the risk they run when volunteering, the risk is there and the city allows that risk by letting them respond in the first place. It is a bad policy open to lawsuits when they show up and do nothing. In any other business that is negligence but I guess the fire department is exempt from responsibility.

As for business practices I have learned that you get more paying, good, repeat customers by being generous with my services. The tarnished reputation is not too hard to come by but a good reputation is hard to keep.

This still does not change the fact that what they did was wrong and unprofessional and I bet the IAFF is not the only agency to condemn the action. The policy is a bad one as seen here regarless the reason for the not paying, again in a perfect world they woiuld have paid but I will let you in on a secret... this is not a perfect world and we should help people when they need it, afterall isn't that when it is important? when they need it?
 
Headlines: Firemen refuse to put out fire for failure to pay fee by Owner.

Headline: Firemen show up to put out fire and save home risking life when owner was unable to pay.

Now which headline is best for the image of the FD?
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The first headline implies a fee-for-service. The second headline implies a donation for services provided regardless. The second headline would result in fewer people opting to "donate" the $75 annual fee, resulting in a decrease in funding. A decrease in funding would result in a decreased ability to adequately fight fires in the future, possibly resulting in further tarnishing of the "image" of the fire department by characterizing them as not doing their job very well.

If people want the service of the fire department provided without an annual fee, the money will have to come from somewhere, which means funding by taxes. If people don't want to pay taxes, and don't want to pay an annual fee, then how will this service be provided?
 
Why not put out the fire then charge them $150 if it is so much trouble I am sure they would be more than willing to pay.
 
I think this is happening already, look how this has been spun in the national news.
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The first headline implies a fee-for-service. The second headline implies a donation for services provided regardless. The second headline would result in fewer people opting to "donate" the $75 annual fee, resulting in a decrease in funding. A decrease in funding would result in a decreased ability to adequately fight fires in the future, possibly resulting in further tarnishing of the "image" of the fire department by characterizing them as not doing their job very well.

If people want the service of the fire department provided without an annual fee, the money will have to come from somewhere, which means funding by taxes. If people don't want to pay taxes, and don't want to pay an annual fee, then how will this service be provided?
 

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