$75 fee for the local FD .... thoughts.

I heard on the news channel that he REFUSED to pay the $75 fee.

"taxes" yes - but not 'directly' if you will. They are "contracted" to what ever entity they serve, so they are simply a 3rd party service provider to that municipality (or neighborhood association, etc.).

That being said I REALLY do not think that they could just watch a house burn...I believe that they MUST provide services (UNLESS the property owner has notified them in writing that he refuses their SERVICE - not their fee!) in an emergency - VOLUNTEER or not!! Usually, any fees are billed AFTER the fact!

IC 36-8-12-16
Schedule of charges for service; conditions for collection; reports; failure to pay
Sec. 16. (a) A volunteer fire department that provides service within a jurisdiction served by the department may establish a schedule of charges for the services that the department provides not to exceed the state fire marshal's recommended schedule for services. The volunteer fire department or its agent may collect a service charge according to this schedule from the owner of property that receives service if the following conditions are met:
(1) At the following times, the department gives notice under IC 5-3-1-4(d) in each political subdivision served by the department of the amount of the service charge for each service that the department provides:
(A) Before the schedule of service charges is initiated.
(B) When there is a change in the amount of a service charge.
(2) The property owner has not sent written notice to the department to refuse service by the department to the owner's property.
(3) The bill for payment of the service charge:
(A) is submitted to the property owner in writing within thirty (30) days after the services are provided; and
(B) includes a copy of a fire incident report in the form prescribed by the state fire marshal, if the service was provided for an event that requires a fire incident report.
(b) A volunteer fire department shall use the revenue collected from the fire service charges under this section for:
(1) the purchase of equipment, buildings, and property for firefighting, fire protection, or other emergency services;
(2) deposit in the township firefighting fund established under IC 36-8-13-4; or
(3) to pay principal and interest on a loan under IC 22-14-5.
(c) If at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the money received by a volunteer fire department for providing fire protection or emergency services is received under one (1) or more contracts with one (1) or more political subdivisions (as defined in IC 34-6-2-110), the legislative body of a contracting political subdivision must approve the schedule of service charges established under subsection (a) before the schedule of service charges is initiated in that political subdivision.
(d) A volunteer fire department that:
(1) has contracted with a political subdivision to provide fire protection or emergency services; and
(2) charges for services under this section;
must submit a report to the legislative body of the political subdivision before April 1 of each year indicating the amount of service charges collected during the previous calendar year and how those funds have been expended.
(e) The state fire marshal shall annually prepare and publish a recommended schedule of service charges for fire protection services.
(f) The volunteer fire department or its agent may maintain a civil action to recover an unpaid service charge under this section.[/color]
As added by P.L.63-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.70-1995, SEC.9; P.L.2-1996, SEC.294; P.L.1-1996, SEC.93; P.L.1-1998, SEC.213; P.L.50-1998, SEC.4; P.L.1-1999, SEC.100; P.L.240-2001, SEC.2.

It is becoming more and more common for FD's to bill for services rendered.

I think that this is beyond the pale of what is proper conduct. Charge him for services rendered, whoop his behind (this was rural Tenn), but don't stand by when it's in your power to help keep a family's home from burning, and possible save lives.

Pretty cold!

After almost 33 years in the career fire service,,I am just sitting here shaking my head at this....

Just read another article that said they guys son knocked out the fire chief. it would definitely make ya want to do that!

Who's gonna be next to start acting like this, EMT's, Police? Crazy!

Playing the devils advocate .....

Lets say they had put this mans house out ..... what incentive would there be for anyone else to ever pay the $75 fee?

Their mindset, and rightfully so, would be they put his out for free and they will do the same for me.

How come the FD is playing the bad guy because this person neglected to pay their $75 fee? The consequences are a result of his actions.

Isnt this in some way what is a great problem in our nation today? People do not want to accept the consequences of their own actions and want others to do for them no matter what?

The FD in question was a mutual aid FD .... I still cannot figure out if this mans taxes actually paid for the FD or not??

Again, just giving viewpoints for the point of discussion.

yes and they need to find another line of work if money is their only incentive to save peoples lives.