[RightWhale]

There will be a number of problems with E-911. Use of a cell phone probably exonerates 911 since cell phones are not in the system. The city firefighters are not allowed to fight fires outside their district unless so directed since they must be ready to respond to an emergency within their district.

[coloradan]

The city firefighters are not allowed to fight fires outside their district unless so directed since they must be ready to respond to an emergency within their district.

Fails the laugh test: so they just stand around and watch it burn, doing nothing except blocking the way for other fire trucks?

Behold the power of government services: it's not only not in my job description (the union response) but it's legally prohibited for me to assist you (the government response). So, I'll just stand around, maybe order a pizza or some popcorn and watch. Say, there's a fire here; anyone bring marshmallows?

[Pearls Before Swine]

The city firefighters are not allowed to fight fires outside their district unless so directed since they must be ready to respond to an emergency within their district.

Well, that might explain them not showing up, but it doesn't explain their standing around and watching the fire once they arrive. They're not helping city fire readiness by rubbernecking at someone else's fire. Besides, they most likely knew the house was outside the city limits before they got in the trucks.