I guess you'd say the same thing if I had to spank my kids for some reason. This was not the guy's house that burned, it was a garage and a vehicle. No one was in danger of getting hurt, except the guy who was trying to put out his own fire. I would be ok with the concept of a fire tax (like I have to pay) or some other form of mandatory fee, but that is not what this town decided to do. The made it voluntary, and $20 per year. No one is forced to live in that town. No one is forced to pay the $20. But you guys want to force a volunteer fire department to provide services despite all of this. If that is the case, why should ANYONE pay (although most people would do so)? Where does the equipment come from if no one pays?
If this topic dealt with other aspects of personal responsibility, there would be little disagreement among Freepers. The homeless guy may not work or have money, but would you require people to "volunteer" to take him in? Most of us would say no. We jump into these arguments well after the facts are established.
The arguments I am hearing sound like death penalty opponents who argue: the victim is already dead, executing the killer won't bring him back; the killer had a rough childhood, so we should cut him some slack; the government should not "murder" in response to the killer's murder, etc. etc. We soundly reject those arguments (at least most of us do).
The volunteer fire department didn't set this fire (I am assuming). How far do you want to extend the obligation to provide free services? Total control of this situation was vested in the property owner, who refused to pay a mere $20 per year. Some have said, put out the fire and bill the guy for the cost of the services or even some outrageous amount. What is he said, before the fire was put out, that he would NOT pay (which is what he said for 1 1/2 years before the fire)? The fire is still blazing. Should they put it out, despite his refusal to pay? Your argument seems to say they should. It's a rough lesson to learn, but sometimes one must learn difficult lessons.
I am a compassionate person. If I came upon someone in need, I would help if I could, and would not request or accept pay for it. But in this situation it is not compassionate to reward the irresponsibility of refusing to pay the minimal costs of protection.
I want you for my insurance agent.
I went to website for the fire department, and I didn't see anything about the annual fee either. If newcomers are not advised by mail, or otherwise, about the required fee, my opinion on this changes completely. But if this guy was sent notices to pay the fee if he wanted the service, I stand by my prior comments.