[Racer1]

They all got paid to stand there and watch it burn so not getting paid doesn’t hold much water.

The auto insurance analogy doesn’t work because firefighting is damage prevention not damage coverage.

This argument is why paid firefighting should be avoided at all costs. It also reminds me why I should donate more time to my local fire company.

[GonzoGOP]

This argument is why paid firefighting should be avoided at all costs. It also reminds me why I should donate more time to my local fire company.

Bad example. They were a volunteer fire company, so the individuals didn't get paid. They demanded a $75 per year fee to cover equipment. They guy didn't pay, so his house burned. A good, if hard nosed, business decision.

But as I said earlier the fire company now gets all the respect that I give the repo man or the lawyer on retainer. If you demand money up front for a service, expect to be treated as a contract employee not a hero. They have demonstrated clearly that they are mercenaries, no more, no less.

[Cowman]

I think the question here is did the fire company receive funding from local property taxes if so the homeowner should have had the fire put out. If the fire company was essentially a private company providing a service for subscribers THEN and only then were they justified in not doing so.

It seems to me that the property taxes were likely diverted to other things rather than the services they were intended to provide. This happens very often in mismanaged local governments i.e. you won't pay higher taxes so they (the town officials) are going to cut the fire and police service and if you still refuse them they cut the water and sewer services as well. But we'll never cut the town car and drivers for the town officials.

[Oztrich Boy]

They all got paid to stand there and watch it burn so not getting paid doesn’t hold much water.

They got paid to be ready to protect the house of the neighbour who had paid the $75.

[RobRoy]

I honestly think the firemen did the right thing. This could have been right out of the pages of Atlas Shrugged.

And trust me, John Galt would have very much agreed with what the firemen did. It also sent a message. If you want insurance, you will have to pay for it. I’d like to see people required to pay a fee BEFORE they go hiking if they want search and rescue to lift a finger. Sure, volunteers can still do whatever they want to to help, but an organization that has paid staff will only help those who have paid for the services.

Imagine if all our services were handled similarly. The one exception would be national security, “state militias” and courts/jails. And that is really the only area where government is absolutely required. It is just meddling in the other areas.