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So, next year we don’t pay either, because we know that we’ll just depend on the good hearts of the FD to put our homes out, too. Trouble is, the FD is not supported by the county and has bills to pay. Without anyone paying their annual fee, the FD goes bandkrupt and now now one has a FD to call.

...at which time the community rethinks its approach to supporting this service. They aren't going to do without a fire department.

But, you are espousing a Nanny State; where the Gov’t ‘knows whats best for everyone’. This is a Conservative principle - People have the God given right to be idiots, and they pay the price for their stupidity. That’s exactly what this homeowner did. He took a $75 gamble, and lost big.

I had a chance to visit with a Fireman an hour ago; and we discussed this.

Did you know that in Utah (I will not address your state, as I don’t know your state laws), a Fireman who operates outside of his contracted area not only operates WITHOUT his health insurance, but can also be held liable for any fire damages that take place.

He went on to state that the $75 constituted a ‘contract’, so any FD operations outside of their ‘contracted area’ are at personal risk, and their personal liability.

So, if this took place in Utah - the Firemen could be personally sued by the homeowner for any damages he thinks they may have aggrevated in their effort to save his home.

They aren't going to do without a fire department.

Have you priced the cost of a Fire Truck ? Figure a used one around $200K, now we add equipment, training for the volunteers, a station house and assorted support - it doesn't take long before we are well over $1 Million (and that's buying used and going cheap). Not every county has that much money available, especially in today's economy.

Now, I'm guessing here ... I'm guessing that some non-Gov't group formed this FD as an investment, and the cost of $75/household was what was established as a practical cost that would have to be charged.

Again, think of this like insurance (darn cheap insurance!!). You don't wait until you get a flood before you demand coverage. In this case, the FD NEEDS that money to keep fiscally viable. If people don't pay $75 annually, the FD closes shop. No one can force you to pay for a service - so some idiots opt to take their chances. This idiot risked his home, his family's life and everything he owns to save $75/yr. And he lost.

This is America, you have a right to be as stupid as you want to be, it is not up to everyone else to cover and protect the stupid people. That's what a Nanny State does.