The second the department starts to work on that fire they have cheated all of their other subscribers.
And, they have cut their own budget for next year, because they have demonstrated that they will work without a subscription.
Actions have consequences. This couple chose not to pay a rather modest fee, and are upset when they got exactly what they paid for.
Where I live we have a private fire department, who charge hundreds to thousands per year depending on property value. I love it because the money I pay for fire protection did not go through a government bureaucracy first, where the lion's share was extracted to pay political bosses. I keep my subscription up because my fire insurance lapses if I don't.
What is wrong with expecting people to be responsible? I am certain they could have found $75 in their budget, but chose not to.
“What is wrong with expecting people to be responsible? I am certain they could have found $75 in their budget, but chose not to.”
And if you have a heart attack on the street, a doctor should just let you die unless you show proof of insurance???
Yours is a most reasonable post.
I live in a rural area and though payment to our volunteer FD is not a requirement I make a yearly contribution anyway.
The volunteers know who contributes and who doesn’t. I think they would drive faster to my house if needed.
:)
A modest fee...
Fire departments are funded by county property taxes. There is no area so "rural" that it's not located in a county. The people already paid for their service.
As for "a modest fee..." Well, why don't we charge a modest fee for parents to send their kids to public school? Charge a modest fee for road maintenance? Then kill all the stupid property taxes and be done with it?
Imagine if it were police officers watching a murder happen. If those people didn’t pay their taxes, would it be okay for the cops to sit idly by and watch?