There are still volunteer fire departments that only extinguish fires on houses that have paid the annual fee.
Of course when an uncovered house burns there is outrage that the volunteer fire department stood by just because the homeowner didn’t help pay for the manpower and equipment.
Membership dues for the VFD in my area are $50 annually.
Most residents don’t bother to join. But if there is a fire, the volunteers where I live respond.
The downside is that the volunteer fire department is in the red due to non members who still get service.
What to do? What to do?