We have EMS, I'm sure that's tax funded. We don't have the lime green fire trucks that also handle emergencies and traffic accidents. Our firefighters are just volunteer fire fighters, nothing more. One tanker truck that carries water and 3 others that hook up to fire hydrants (all old fashioned red ones).
I mentioned in a previous post that I've not seen or heard of our firefighters refusing to help but that I would never, ever blame them if they did. I know not everyone pays but again, never heard of them not responding. Monett is about 30 miles away.
And it's not private pay, it's volunteer.
The early brush fire units were converted from an old (Korean War vintage) weapons carrier and a jeep, all done in house. The vehicles were acquired surplus, rebuilt by and fitted out by the members, designed in house for the task and quite good for that duty. The jeep had a roll cage, small booster tank and hose, and a pull-start pump, and it was great for knocking down grass fires before they got out of hand, or driving behind the flame front in a field fire while the 'shotun' fireman knocked down the flames with the booster nozzle.
Amazing things can still be done on a limited budget.
The Department never levied a fee on anyone in those early years, all the firefighters were volunteers, and they put out anyone's fires.
Money came from donations, holding benefit dances and dinners, and things were (and still largely are) kept running by the efforts of the members.
One thing has changed. There was a county fire tax implemented, on businesses and residences, as part of the property tax. Those monies never really got into the hands of politicians, but were handled by a board elected from the fire departments and EMS providers in the county. They, working with a knowledge of the requirements of the individual departments and the resources available to them, worked out a budget which benefitted all the departments, and continue to do so. The firefighters are still, with rare exceptions (dispatchers and fully certified paramedics) strictly volunteer. No one gets turned down. And we had our share of people who were dirt poor, too. If anything, they needed us more.
Any shortfalls are still made up by fundraisers conducted by the respective departments. No, the equipment isn't lime green, (red is still the color of choice), but it is much newer now, across the board.
I guess I just still have trouble with the idea of volunteer firefighters standing next to the equipment and watching a structure burn when it could have been saved. After all, putting out fires was what we joined to do, refusing to so would have gone completely against that.
So I guess the Ambulance goes to the accident and if there is gas leaking and it starts burning, Then they call the Fire department. I dont think you really know how the Fire Service works . At accidents, Electric wires go down, Gasoline leaks, Sparks come off Batteries, Sometimes gasoline tanks are ruptured. Sometimes people are trapped and heavy duty equipment not carried on ambulances is needed, Sometimes more than one ambulance is needed Fire service personnel lend their manpower while waiting for this second unit.
Unless specifically given information to the contrary a Fire Unit should be dispatched to every accident scene.