I saw this news article today on MSNBC. Basically, the guy didn't pay a fee, and so they let his house burn down. More details are in the story but it is a welel-known fact that you have to pay the fee in order to have firefighter coverage.
Initially I was shocked. I mean, how do they let someone's house burn down while they just sit there. But, then I thought of the homeowner who had ample opportunity to pay for the fee... but he didn't. He probably just never thought it'd happen to him, or that they really wouldn't respond.
I can't imagine letting someone die in front of me because they don't have insurance. Of course, by law when I'm at work I'm prohibited from allowing that.
But then.... why didn't he pay the fee? It's seventy five bucks, for a WHOLE YEAR! I would guess that the phone line he used to call them cause a fair piece more than that. He probably just chose not to.
Honestly, I side with the fire department. People think people will come save them. My kids think I won't follow through with consequences, parents at school have no dicipline at home thinking the schools will save them.
Well, guess what. Life is FULL of consequences. Good, bad and sometimes you lose all of your posessions. It's a consequence.
What do you guys think?
5 comments:
I agree with what he said, that he suffered the consequences for forgetting to pay, and as a parent it is hard to see what happens when our kids make poor choices.
However, as a tax paying citizen he should never have had to pay a fee for that service. There are certain things I count on. If I need to call 911 I count on someone coming to help me, I should be able to count on the fire department to come to my aid should I call. We come to the aid of our neighbors when they need us. Not a proud day for that town!
While I agree that he should be held accountable it shocks me that anyone would have to pay! Sounds like their fire department needs to have a few pancake breakfast fundraisers or something! :)
I think they should have put it out because it was the decent thing to do. If for no other reason than to try to save the pets. Perhaps they could have slapped him with a hefty fine afterward to make an example out of him.
I agree with what you are saying about people not being accountable & expecting someone will always be there to save them, but common sense tells me you don't let a man's house burn down if you have the means to help.
I read in an article that this area didn't even have a fire department until a few years ago when they instituted this fee and were able to fund it. While I think it's extremely sad that his house burned down (this is one of my biggest fears), I don't blame the fire department. He knew he had to pay the fee to be taken care of, and he chose not to. It reminds me of the parable of the 10 virgins - some were ready with their oil and some weren't. Nobody said to those that didn't have the oil "Oh, you didn't want to buy your oil in advance? Don't worry, we'll give you the oil now and you can pay for it after the wedding." They missed out because they weren't ready. And now this man's house burned down because he didn't take care of paying the fire department's fee. Could they have had compassion and sprayed his house? Yeah. But then would he have learned anything? I bet when next year comes around, he wouldn't pay the fee again... Can you buy car insurance after you have a crash and expect them to cover the crash? No, you buy it in advance in order to have it in place when an accident happens. I think it's a hard, hard lesson he had to learn, but maybe now he'll take care of paying that fee. :(
I'm conflicted on this one. I think fire service is one that should be covered by tax money. If it cost $75 that should have been added to property tax.
Although if this is the system they had (sounds sort of like a private fire company you pay to join), he knew the rules and the consequence was fair. Bet people think twice about skipping out on the fee!
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