[xeberus]

Just about anything can be fodder for an ideological dispute these days. Just consider news of the recent fire at Gene Cranick's home in Obion County, Tenn.

Here's the short version of what happened: In rural Obion County, homeowners must pay $75 annually for fire protection services from the nearby city of South Fulton. If they don't pay the fee and their home catches fire, tough luck -- even if firefighters are positioned just outside the home with hoses at the ready.

Gene Cranick found this out the hard way.

When Cranick's house caught fire last week, and he couldn't contain the blaze with garden hoses, he called 911. During the emergency call, he offered to pay all expenses related to the Fire Department's defense of his home, but the South Fulton firefighters refused to do anything.

[How "pay-to-spray" fire services work]

They did, however, come out when Cranick's neighbor -- who'd already paid the fee -- called 911 because he worried that the fire might spread to his property. Once they arrived, members of the South Fulton department stood by and watched Cranick's home burn; they sprang into action only when the fire reached the neighbor's property.

"I hadn't paid my $75 and that's what they want, $75, and they don't care how much it burned down," Gene Cranick told WPSD, an NBC affiliate in Kentucky. "I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot...logical-debate

What do you guys think? And theres a video if you go to the link.

[Rusty]

He should have paid the annual fee but if it was me I'd be throwing money at the actual firefighters once they got there. If that didn't encourage them I'd instead throw knuckle sandwiches

[E Lit Er Ate]

not the firefighters fault, they are following city orders.

stupid to not pay the $75, then desperately need help and offer "anything". Should have offered the $75 beforehand.

[oldfan]

This is like something from 150 years ago when fire departments were nothing but extortion gangs.

[coldcall420]

Im nationally and state certified Firefighter.......pay the ****in money, how do you think they get part of their equipment and gear??? If we were there we would have put it out FTR.....

[box]

How about puting out the damn fire then charging them another $75 for the trouble. Jesus, what a lame ordinance.

[Ivan]

Well now he is gonna pay them those 75 .. don't think so.. they should have helped instead of just standing there and watching doing nothing..

[HexRei]

Originally Posted by RustyRenegade

He should have paid the annual fee but if it was me I'd be throwing money at the actual firefighters once they got there. If that didn't encourage them I'd instead throw knuckle sandwiches

It does say he offered to pay ALL their expenses while they were there, which would presumably be a lot more than $75.

[Guy Incognito]

Edit: didn't read it completely

[HexRei]

Originally Posted by guy incognito

So you're a P.O.S in real life and on the net.

nothing he said there warrants your response. Let's squash this now.