“If one doesn’t pay the dues, then the volunteer fire department will charge a response fee (about $800 circa 2010) whose amount I believe is set by FEMA.”
That’s interesting. What happens when a person refuses to pay the response fee? Does the volunteer fire department seize and sell the house to get paid?
In Tennessee about 15 years ago they just watched it burn, but sprayed the home next door to protect it.
“What happens when a person refuses to pay the response fee?”
A lien would be placed on the property, which might get sold by court order.