http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/tennessee-family-home-burns-while-firefighters-watch-191241763.html

Tennessee family home burns while firefighters watch
By Eric Pfeiffer | The Sideshow – 15 hrs ago

A Tennessee couple helplessly watched their home burn to the ground, along with all of their possessions, because they did not pay a $75 annual fee to the local fire department.

Vicky Bell told the NBC affiliate WPSD-TV that she called 911 when her mobile home in Obion County caught fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene but as the fire raged, they simply stood by and did nothing. "In an emergency, the first thing you think of, 'Call 9-1-1," homeowner Bell said. However, Bell and her husband were forced to walk into the burning home in an attempt to retrieve their own belongings. "You could look out my mom's trailer and see the trucks sitting at a distance," Bell said. "We just wished we could've gotten more out."


South Fulton Mayor David Crocker defended the fire department, saying that if firefighters responded to non-subscribers, no one would have an incentive to pay the fee. Residents in the city of South Fulton receive the service automatically, but it is not extended to those living in the greater county-wide area.

"There's no way to go to every fire and keep up the manpower, the equipment, and just the funding for the fire department," Crocker said.

The South Fulton policy produced precisely the same nightmare scenario last year, when homeowner Gene Cranick--who had likewise failed to pay the $75 annual fee for rural Obion County residents--saw his house engulfed by flames as South Fulton firefighter watched close by. That incident sparked a debate among conservative pundits over the limits of fee-for-service approaches to government.

For his part, Mayor Crocker stressed that the city's firefighters will help people in danger, even those who haven't paid the fee. "After the last situation, I would hope that everybody would be well aware of the rural fire fees, this time," Crocker said.

You mean they done it again?
What happen to Protect and Serve,or whatever the Parole of the Firefighter is?
I can see that the Service has to be paid for somehow,but it's a damn cheap Trick for Firefighters to be at a Fire,and then stand idly by while people might get hurt,and watch the Property being destroyed!

It is said that because they didn't pay, the firefighters were ONLY there to protect the intresrts of those who had!

WRONG! VERY WRONG INDEED!

why the Heck even show up then?
To rub Salt in the Wound?
They really need to rework those Rules!

The firefighters were there in case someone's life was endanger. Had someone been trapped in the trailer they would have entered to save the trapped person. That is the concept of "Protect and Serve". As far as saving material items, that only happens if you pay the $75. If they didn't have homeowners, should the local insurance co rebuild the house for free?

Sorry but sometimes you just have to play by the rules.

LESS government 'interference',,,,,

people can be free to put out their own fires,,,,,

(smh)

Most fire and police services are included in your taxes!

If not, why pay them? Insurance is only good AFTER the damage is done!

Sounds like a business opportunity to me. Somebody should have their own fire wagon for use in this sort of situation.

don't be surprised if they stop you for interfering with Government!

nope,that would be one of the Legitimate Government Services!

Absolutely they would. They would stop you, because fire fighting is "union" work or they would deny you use of the fire hydrant or some other way.

I have no problem with a private fire department working on a fee basis refusing to put out a fire for free, but I have some serious concerns about a public fire department paid for with tax money refusing to put out a fire.

right on all accounts!

Few things do I think should be under the purview of government. However fire is one of those things that can effect everyone, and even with a firetruck on stand by a fire can get out of control and even the best firefighters cannot get it back under control until it has ran its course.

This means a few things to me.

1) you should never stand by and watch a home fire rage, EVER.
2) All communities should have basic taxes covering it with volunteers augmenting the fire service.

fullstop/

These people live outside the city limits and were offered service for $75 a year and refused. Bet they wish they'd paid that $75!!! This happens from time to time, people don't think they should have to pay for the service when living in the county so they don't pay for it and when their house burns they get all pissy like its someone elses fault.

If the fire trucks drove out there, then they should not sit by. Send a bill. TYVM.

Little thing called insurance, look into it! Insurance (city) is the reason FF work in districts and why these peoples house burnt down period!

Considering we read about this about a year ago and it was such big news all over, one would think people would have gotten the point that some places have service fees because they're not covered by one's taxes.

So pay the frigging yearly bill and "quit yer bitchin!". Frankly, I'm surprised that some of this isn't actually required by the banks or whoever own one's mortgage, and the insurance companies covering one's house.

You make a good point.

wow

yeah, they should have paid the 75 bucks...money is tight,
people are hurting, struggling just to keep food on the table.

75 bucks seem so miniscule, especially in comparison a family's livelihood and well being.

I think this is sad.

Sad for the family and sad that $75 was more important than people.

a 'public service' that most can get behind

if only they agreed on service to the 'public' in other areas though,,,