Firefighters Let Home Burn Over Unpaid Fee

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Hog1

The time to determine who should owe what, what law/rule has been violated, how to handle it going forward, etc is...AFTER we have helped our neighbors to save their pets, their belongings and their house. It is NOT while we watch their lives and those of their dogs and cat go up in flames.
There are times we are all faced with that we SHOULD go against the "grain" and do what is morally right in the face of the rules? It is indeed a shame the fire crew apparently did not feel that way as according to the article, they stood and watched it burn,
Effectively they traded much of these peoples lives for $75. They SHOULD be ashamed. If you can justify it.........wow

Except that this man states he was fully aware of the choice he made in not paying the fee.

Again, I think it would be better with an OPT OUT clause, and an express and hefty fine if the fee is not paid either by neglect or, as this man tried to do, playing of the odds. So, if someone opts out in advance, then they know it's on them. If someone is playing the odds, then they know the consequence will be a very substantial fine, or levy on their assets. And hopefully most will do the responsible act and pay the fee upfront so that the assisting county can plan for the future.