Emergency vs. Rescue?

DaNinja

Lieutenant
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Jun 11, 2008
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

There was the Tennessee family that lost their home because they had not paid the $75 annual service fee for fire protection.

They should have paid it, but I think, if they did not, they should get the fire put out and expect to pay the entire bill.

My boat will get towed, but if I did not sign up for towing beforehand, I am getting the full bill.
 

Tim Frank

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Joined
Jul 29, 2008
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

There was the Tennessee family that lost their home because they had not paid the $75 annual service fee for fire protection.

They should have paid it, but I think, if they did not, they should get the fire put out and expect to pay the entire bill.

My boat will get towed, but if I did not sign up for towing beforehand, I am getting the full bill.

(edit ~ add)

If you are actually claiming that the Fire Department did not respond because of an outstanding $75- bill, this thread has gone from "Emergency vs. Rescue" to "Moral vs. Immoral".

To be honest, (with apologies...:redface:) I doubted your details and have just googled it expecting to come up with Zip...or at least "mitigating" circumstances. Doesn't appear to be any mitigating circumstances at all....this is exactly as you wrote it, and while you are clearly correct, I still find it difficult to believe ..or at least difficult to understand . :confused::confused:

What a bizarre event!!??:confused:
 
Last edited:

CN Spots

Lieutenant Commander
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Oct 19, 2005
Messages
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

Tim, your Google-fu is not strong

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html

I had heard that story as well.

Apparently there were 3 dogs and cat inside.

The local radio stations here in Memphis were all over that story a few weeks ago. The opinions were mixed. I'm with Ninja, they should have put it out and charged him for the money owed and took possession of the house or something until a compromise was reached. What if he owed a lot of money on it? The mortgage co. would have been burned :)D) too.

Whatever the case, I bet everybody in town was writing a check the next morning!
 

Tim Frank

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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

Tim, your Google-fu is not strong

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html

I had heard that story as well.

Apparently there were 3 dogs and cat inside.

I re-read my post and I guess since I wrote it I am not the most objective commentator....but there is nothing wrong with my "Google-fu".....

There were scores of hits on Google.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39516346/ns/us_news-life/

Summary...I found it tough to believe that it was a simple as DN posted...I was sure that there would be wayyyyyy more to the story....or even an urban legend.
I apologised to DN for the doubts....and just commented that it was an unbelievable story. Hopefully the authorities take enough heat to fix the problem.
 

choochooharley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
172
Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

Tim I read your post and took it the same way as EZ. I thought you were saying you couldnt find anything.....I have been a volunteer fireman and with the Coast Guard Auxiliary personally I would do what it takes to help someone in need. If I was the one in need I would accept any help I would get and be grateful and worry about the logistics and payments later. Nothing in life is free we should not expect hand outs for everything.
 

Tim Frank

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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

Nothing in life is free we should not expect hand outs for everything.

Agreed; but can Fire Service really be considered a hand-out, in this day and age? :confused:

According to the story version I read, (MSNBC), the homeowner had insurance. I find it hard to believe that the insurance company would not insist that you not only opt in to the "fire service' but that they wouldn't pay the $75- and add it to your premium.
i.e. Many mortgage companies pay your tax bill and add it to the premium so there is no risk to them of default on the tax part.

I just find it incredible.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

Me too. I find it incredible that fire service is "opt in" especially given the existance of insurance and mortgage companies. I don't think I can really choose to just "let my house burn down."
 

fishrdan

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Jan 25, 2008
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

I towed in a guy a couple weeks ago, 10 miles UGH! He was at the dock and trying to get his dead boat back, same story from him. In the park services eyes, a disabled boat is not an emergency, medical problem or sinking is the only way they will respond.

Tim, your Google-fu is not strong

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Firefighters-watch-as-home-burns-to-the-ground-104052668.html

I had heard that story as well.

Apparently there were 3 dogs and cat inside.

Unbelievable story! There's something wrong with that town's leadership, allowing a house to burn because someone didn't "PAY".

OH, you didn't pay for fire protection, too bad so sad.... Who's got the hot dogs and marshmallows?

This might be a dumb question, but shouldn't this be charged as a city tax? And if not paid, a lien placed on the properly. They would get their money sooner or later.
 

DaNinja

Lieutenant
Joined
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

I towed in a guy a couple weeks ago, 10 miles UGH! He was at the dock and trying to get his dead boat back, same story from him. In the park services eyes, a disabled boat is not an emergency, medical problem or sinking is the only way they will respond.



Unbelievable story! There's something wrong with that town's leadership, allowing a house to burn because someone didn't "PAY".

OH, you didn't pay for fire protection, too bad so sad.... Who's got the hot dogs and marshmallows?

This might be a dumb question, but shouldn't this be charged as a city tax? And if not paid, a lien placed on the properly. They would get their money sooner or later.
If you live in rural areas, you may not have a city tax. Then you pay a fee for the cities fire service if they are within range. Some friends in Montana and Utah tell me this is how they get their very limited fire service.
 

fishrdan

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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

If you live in rural areas, you may not have a city tax. Then you pay a fee for the cities fire service if they are within range. Some friends in Montana and Utah tell me this is how they get their very limited fire service.

That makes sense. I wonder if that was the situation above^^^?
 

choochooharley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

If you live in rural areas, you may not have a city tax. Then you pay a fee for the cities fire service if they are within range. Some friends in Montana and Utah tell me this is how they get their very limited fire service.

this is true there is usually a fire levy like there is a school levy attached to your property taxes...The departments may be volunteer but there still is maintence and bills like electric and water.....like the 7000 gal or more they have to use to put out the fire...most departments dont pay thier firefighters but some have started to have to becuase there just arent enough people that want to volunteer it is extensive what you have to go through to be a volunteer....Classes and keeping your certifications current plus the department usually picks up the tab for these classes so theres another expense....
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

This has always "bugged me".

People will call EMS for anything: bruised finger, bunions, back door trot's, etc.

If you call EMS, they send a full blown fire engine (six guys) plus the EMS team (at least two), on another truck. By the way, the EMS folks are almost ALWAYS about 100% overweight.

What's with that?

Jeez, has the lawsuit community forced us to this?

If I have a heart attack, I don't need a full blown fire engine. The chances of me setting the house on fire are pretty slim. If I can't feel my hands it's a pretty good chance that I can't set anything ablaze.

Although, I've thought about it.;) No funeral expenses, etc. Just put the ashes on the lawn, as I told Mrs. DJ.:)


Just send me to the Hospital? Again, what's with the "full blown" FIRE emergency?
 

choochooharley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Messages
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

IDK about where you live but if someone calls 911 here for a heart attack they only send the abulance. If its a fire then the ambulance comes for several reason victims either already in the home or an injured fire fighter...and to a car crash the fire trucks come just in case of entrapment or in case the car catches on fire....as far as being overweight yes there are some or a lot but the paid fire fighters here sit around the fire house for 24 hours doing nothing so i know why that is lol....but the volunteers as i said before arefew and far between any more so its a case of take what you can get if they pass a physical by their dr and are able to pass the classes theyre in
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

IDK about where you live but if someone calls 911 here for a heart attack they only send the abulance. If its a fire then the ambulance comes for several reason victims either already in the home or an injured fire fighter...and to a car crash the fire trucks come just in case of entrapment or in case the car catches on fire....as far as being overweight yes there are some or a lot but the paid fire fighters here sit around the fire house for 24 hours doing nothing so i know why that is lol....but the volunteers as i said before arefew and far between any more so its a case of take what you can get if they pass a physical by their dr and are able to pass the classes theyre in

Around here, it is POLICY, to send everything they've got for: A bad hangover, stub toe, etc.

What a waste of resources.

Plus, they like to sit in the neighborhoods, diesels running, at full "idle" RPM just to impress people as I am inclined to believe. Lot's of noise and smells.. I guess it works-until the bills come due.:eek: For the FD, not the citizen.:(
 

choochooharley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

wow what good tax payer dollars at work and some good logistics planing as well...I think if i lived in your community I would be haveing a chat with the counselman or who ever represents me....
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

wow what good tax payer dollars at work and some good logistics planing as well...I think if i lived in your community I would be haveing a chat with the counselman or who ever represents me....

Already have. All the way to the Mayor.

Answer: 'We can't risk not sending every resource we have". "The lawsuits, if we missed. would break us".

Sad. VERY sad.:(:(
 

choochooharley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

Wow thats not sad thats ridiculous and shameful....the lawyers are running this country
 

CN Spots

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Joined
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Messages
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Re: Emergency vs. Rescue?

I was on a business trip in Montreal Canada a few years ago and noticed their fire trucks driving up and down city streets at night, no lights on and in no hurry. A local said that they do that rather than just sit in the station and wait for a fire. They go out looking for one.

This was prior to $3 a gallon diesel though, I wonder if that's still policy?
 
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