[RubyCamaro]

The guy who didn't pay actually lives in the next county, out of the jurisdiction of the fire dept. in question. The county of the guy with the fire, has no fire dept. The next county agreed to cover anyone willing to pay the $75 fee. A straightfoward business deal. If you want protection, then pay. Many rural areas in Tennessee have no fire dept. In the areas outside city limits in my county residents are covered by only volunteer fire depts. They are dependant for equiptment, liability insurance, operating expenses, etc. on the fees paid by those who want fire protection. Like others have said, personal responsibility. Granted this is not the ideal situation. But when I was growing up there were not even volunteer fire departments in rural areas, you were just on your own. If available, the nearest city fire Dept would show up just to prevent it from becoming a forest/wild fire & county governments paid for that. And YES, The firefighters hate, having to just watch property burn, but that is just the way it is.