HTHM Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 This beggars belief! http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/101006/world/us_house_left_to_burn SOUTH FULTON, Tenn. - A woman in the southern state of Tennessee said Wednesday she doesn't blame the firefighters who watched while her house burned to the ground after her family failed to pay a $75 annual protection fee. Paulette Cranic said the firefighters who came to the scene were just following orders. Her family had paid the fee in the past but simply forgot it recently. Cranic, 67, said she's just thankful no one was hurt in the fire last week that destroyed the doublewide trailer in rural northwest Tennessee. "You can't blame them if they have to do what the boss says to do," Cranic told The Associated Press. "I've had firemen call and apologize." Firefighters did not try to save the burning structure because Cranic had not paid the subscription fee for fire protection. Firefighters went to the scene to keep flames from spreading to nearby property whose owners had paid. The county has no free fire service. Her grandson, Lance Cranic, 21, who lived there with her and her husband, started the fire while burning trash in a barrel. He went inside to take a shower and upon returning saw a shed next to the house in flames. It spread despite his efforts to put it out with a garden hose. Paulette Cranic said they had paid the fee in the past, although sometimes late, but it slipped their mind this year. Lance Cranic said "this is something I've got to live with the rest of my life." "To see the house and everything you grew up in burning down before your eyes is kind of harsh," he said. He recalled that he called the fire department and asked them to come but they declined. "I was in shock," he said. Local officials did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday to The Associated Press for comment but have confirmed to local media that the family did not pay the fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bailey Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 What's worse is that the local authorities have apparently admitted that there was enough tax money in the accounts to pay for emergency services, but they made people pay extra anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 this is a joke .........right i've never heard of such Bull. Criminal charges should be laid against the chief who gave the order to watch it burn. sounds a bit like the mafia.Pay your protection money or else...........sheesh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC1OZ Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 I bet they don't pay as much in taxes as we do.... Still pretty crappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightfisher Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 This is sad and sickening. Everyone of those firefighters were afraid to lose their job so they just watched the place burn to the ground. Would of thought there was a least one man there with some integrity. .....[in-teg-ri-tee] –noun 1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty..... Now if one or all of the firemen there put out the fire, do you really think they would lose their job. No way. It would have made the papers, the same with it made the papers now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 This is sad and sickening. Everyone of those firefighters were afraid to lose their job so they just watched the place burn to the ground. Would of thought there was a least one man there with some integrity. .....[in-teg-ri-tee] –noun 1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty..... Now if one or all of the firemen there put out the fire, do you really think they would lose their job. No way. It would have made the papers, the same with it made the papers now. iits our moral duty as people, to help out.I think we are even obliged by law to help someone in danger to the best of our ability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontariofisherman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 don't laugh to much they do that up here. I know here in Toronto they always ask you for your insurance info so they can bill them. It's kind of funny we pay for the trucks and their salaries from our taxes and we still end up paying more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carp Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 So if there was someone inside, they would have stood by and watched them burn to death. Whoever is responsible for this stupidity should be dismissed immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauce Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Its definitely a sad story. I'm sure this doesn't happen often. Especially when people hear about instances like this one. Don't want to pay for protection? Then you'd better be ready to find a new home IF something like this happens. Just imagine how many people would stop paying the protection fee if they found out that their neighbors didn't but were protected anyways. Its a moral dilema for everyone. I'm sure the firefighters on scene all wanted to do something. But you can't blame them for standing by and keeping the situation controlled. Its not like they sat at the hall and played cards waiting for a call that a second (protected) trailer was burning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sauce Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 So if there was someone inside, they would have stood by and watched them burn to death. Whoever is responsible for this stupidity should be dismissed immediately. I'm not aware of the fine print involved with the protection fee. But I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with rescuing people that are trapped inside. Fire rescue crew would have likely made an attempt to remove victims from the burning trailer and then let it burn. They do not stand by when lives are at risk. Never. A rescue attempt is made even when the chances of removing a survivor are low. Don't harp on the people that risk their lives to protect ours. No one was injured. No one died. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smally21 Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 south fulton tenn has 2500 residents residential property tax average 409$ fire dept consists of 3 ff's nearest town over 50000 people is 60 miles away. that house was going to the ground anyway. a citizen has no legal duty to act. a firefighter has a legal duty to perform his job to the standards set by his dept. this is a crazy story. im just throwin in some factoids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashhopper Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 something is very strange about this story as I just read a similar one ( almost verbatem) about a guy in Africa in the same situation.... I am looking for the article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 (edited) A union of states? Unfortunately that is not quite accurate, you would think congress here could get one thing right? Promote the general welfare of the people? It is really a complex situation, some communities are very small, and spread out. Volunteer firemen, and a county sheriff patrol for police protection, some one has to pay to support this? A fire truck and other equipment? Police vehicles? Some people and communities won`t pass tax hikes to cover these, a politician suggesting them may doom his career, so they make excuses. The small township I live in has a volunteer fire department, but luckily the people support it. We don`t have fire hydrants and some homes are 1/4 of a mile or more off the road and not all driveways are designed for a fire truck to enter. Fighting a fire with a garden hose may not work well? We have city water, but water to fight fires is usually trucked in or taken from the nearest pond, a time consuming and expensive proposition. Freedom doesn`t necessarily mean you don`t have to pay taxes and expect every one else to support your needs? Fire protection, police protection, schools? If you look at some of our states that make a big deal about having no state income tax, or very low taxes? They are usually first in line when they have an emergency and need federal tax dollars to fix it, then they complain about the federal income taxes. Really not sure of all the details involved in the story, but try buying home insurance after the home has burnt to the ground? My property taxes are $2000.00 a year, but I get fire and police protection and decent schools with that. Edited October 7, 2010 by OhioFisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 I have been a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years and what I have learned is there are MANY different set ups when it comes to how a city, town or village finances it's fire protection. But in all cases the fire department has a legal agreement with the people who reside there and can't go beyond that for many reasons with liability to it's firefighters being the #1 reason. And over the years I find everyone either takes their protection for granted or actually complains about it until they need it. I had a fellow worker once tell me when he sees the flashing blue light on a volunteers vehicle working (trying to get to the firehouse) he said "he's probably rushing to the beer tap"...... In the case in SOUTH FULTON, Tenn they might now have to look at how they collect their fire protection money, maybe included it in their property taxes to prevent this from happing again. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC1OZ Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 south fulton tenn has 2500 residents residential property tax average 409$ fire dept consists of 3 ff's nearest town over 50000 people is 60 miles away. that house was going to the ground anyway. a citizen has no legal duty to act. a firefighter has a legal duty to perform his job to the standards set by his dept. this is a crazy story. im just throwin in some factoids. I would enjoy paying 409$ a year for property taxes, and they didn't disagree to living there, its not like this was a surprise... they are usually late paying the bill and forgot this year. So its something they were aware of, not brought out of left field. Just sounds shocking to a Canadian who's never heard of such things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyboss Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Similar stuff happens in Ontario. In my Hometown i know of a house on a Concession rd that the Fire department watched burned to the ground because the house was on the West side of the street. The west side of the street was in another District. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'mHooked Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 (edited) As a Canadian Volunteer Fire Officer I'm appauled at the notion of this. In emergency situations we take 'calculated risks'. The notion that a late $75 could mean the difference between total property destruction and potential protection of some personally valuable property/belongings is ludicrous. We have a duty to ACT within the confines of our level of training. In-action could have our in legal troubles over negligence issues. The city bills the province $350.00 per truck per hour for responses to provincial highways. Why the hell can't they bill a 'delinquent' home owner for the services they've used to fight their fire? Fight the fire 1st, then send them a bill for $1200 per truck ($300/hr x 4 hrs) plus materials. Add it to their taxes owing. Allow them 1 year at $100/ month to pay it off. They will sure as heck not forget the $75 annual fee again! My point is, I would ACT then worry about $ Anyone heard the term 'essential service'? Kind of has ring to it! Edited October 7, 2010 by I'mHooked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowPoke Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 My point is, I would ACT then worry about $ Well said. Whether or not this story is true, it doesn't matter. It's a sad state when people are willing to witness tragedy before their very eyes because of policy or money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 "Well said. Whether or not this story is true, it doesn't matter. It's a sad state when people are willing to witness tragedy before their very eyes because of policy or money." Agreed, but, we have some of these same types of people writing opinions to their local newspapers claiming raising taxes amounts to Socialism or Communism. The same type of limited views that prevent us from having a national health care plan of Canadian style? The same people that seem dead set against it scream like crazy when they open their hospital bill, or don`t carry medical insurance at all. We have 3 or 4 communities in our area that haven`t paid their fees to the county sheriff`s department, but still won`t pass a levy raising their taxes, and still expect police protection? Kind of like fishing with out a license? The rest of us are expected to pay? what makes you so special? You gambled and lost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC1OZ Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 The rest of us are expected to pay? what makes you so special? You gambled and lost? I'd say that hit's the nail on the head. But at the end of the day should it really cost money to save another human being... in this society we are currently living in... I guess so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 TCIOZ, no answers, it`s getting to be a real strange world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 As a Canadian Volunteer Fire Officer I'm appauled at the notion of this. In emergency situations we take 'calculated risks'. The notion that a late $75 could mean the difference between total property destruction and potential protection of some personally valuable property/belongings is ludicrous. We have a duty to ACT within the confines of our level of training. In-action could have our in legal troubles over negligence issues. The city bills the province $350.00 per truck per hour for responses to provincial highways. Why the hell can't they bill a 'delinquent' home owner for the services they've used to fight their fire? Fight the fire 1st, then send them a bill for $1200 per truck ($300/hr x 4 hrs) plus materials. Add it to their taxes owing. Allow them 1 year at $100/ month to pay it off. They will sure as heck not forget the $75 annual fee again! My point is, I would ACT then worry about $ Anyone heard the term 'essential service'? Kind of has ring to it! You're missing the point on many issues here.....THEY DID BILL the property owner and the bill was NOT paid....no one was in the building so it wasn't a life threating fire but could have had the firefighters fought the fire and one of them got hurt or worse....since they were not under contract to fight the fire then if a firefighter would have gotten hurt maybe their liability insurance would not cover the medical expensive's. It would be like have another fire department from another county respond when they are NOT contracted to do so. Even our mutual aid has to be contracted out to protect the firefighter involved AND all the EXPENSIVE fire fighting equipment. As Ohiofisherman pointed out......wouldn't it be nice only to buy a fishing license after you were caught fishing without one. When that's OK with you let me know. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC1OZ Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 You're missing the point on many issues here.....THEY DID BILL the property owner and the bill was NOT paid....no one was in the building so it wasn't a life threating fire but could have had the firefighters fought the fire and one of them got hurt or worse....since they were not under contract to fight the fire then if a firefighter would have gotten hurt maybe their liability insurance would not cover the medical expensive's. It would be like have another fire department from another county respond when they are NOT contracted to do so. Even our mutual aid has to be contracted out to protect the firefighter involved AND all the EXPENSIVE fire fighting equipment. As Ohiofisherman pointed out......wouldn't it be nice only to buy a fishing license after you were caught fishing without one. When that's OK with you let me know. Bob If you want to put a value on everything in this world... why would it stop when it comes to saving lives and properties? People will have to wake up sooner or later.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 If you want to put a value on everything in this world... why would it stop when it comes to saving lives and properties? People will have to wake up sooner or later.... Ya you're right......but we are ruled by the liability insurance companies and the crazy people that sue over the stupidest things like, coffee was too hot, the screen on my upstairs window didn't warn me I could fall out by leaning against it or the ladder didn't have a warning that's its dangerous to be on the very top step....the list goes on and on. And it's never going to change for the better only the worse. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 i think that all of us, myself included, are missing alot of points. most of the responses to this thread have been emotionally expressed. the sad truth is that it does cost money.lots of money, to rescue people, fight fires and have ambulances dispatched. someone has to pay, and if its not included in our taxes somehow or in our insurances, then most often we are billed. there is so much that happens behind the scenes that we are unaware of.liability, jurisdiction,union rules, insurance.there must have been a valid reason, even though we cant understand it. as in all news reports, we never really get all the information we need to make an educated opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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