Public Services Like Firefighting Shouldn't Require a Subscription Fee

Firefighters in Obion County, Tennessee watched as a house burned to the ground this week. The reason? The homeowners hadn't paid a $75 fire protection fee.

Gene Cranick called 911 in South Fulton, the closest nearby town in Obion County. He begged the fire department to come. He offered to pay whatever they wanted. He was told it was too late. Every year, Obion County residents can pay a $75 fire protection fee to be covered by the South Fulton fire department; despite paying every other year, Cranick had forgotten to pay this year. Only when a neighbor (who had paid his fire department fee) called for help putting out the fire that had spread to his property did firefighters show up. Even then, they did nothing to help Cranick. His home burned to the ground, with three dogs inside, as firefighters and local news camera crews looked on. Tell South Fulton to end its dangerous "no pay, no spray" policy!

When the local news station asked the fire chief why an exception hadn't been made, the chief called police to have the crew escorted from the property. To make matters worse, the county sheriff's department reports that after the fire had finally died out, Cranick's son went to the fire station and assaulted the fire chief.

The Cranicks, in a remarkable display of grace and compassion when little if any seems warranted, says they don't blame the firefighters for doing their job. They blame the people in charge who instituted the policy, which has been on the books since 1990. A similar incident took place in 2008 when the fire department refused to extinguish a house fire. Up for review last year, the city kept the rule on the books. (I also don't blame them for their confusion. Gene Cranick was under the impression that he would be covered even though he forgot to pay. In many areas with fee-based public services around the country, it's often true that firefighters will respond and only then demand payment.)

I can only speak to the few firefighters I've known, who often did the work on a volunteer basis because they believed in providing a vital public service. In my wildest dreams, I can't imagine following orders against doing your job. Public services exist for a reason: to help everyone equally, especially those who can't afford a subscription to fire safety or emergency health care. Why couldn't we have heard about firefighters getting into trouble for saving the Cranick family's home? Why should public services, which are designed to protect us all equally, regardless of our income or financial means, become one more bill to pay? Where is the humanity in this story? Watch infuriating coverage below:

Photo credit: dvs