Rural firefighters take pass on battling flames at nonpaying residence - Page 3

C-Mac · 03-23-2006, 10:23 AM

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs...ING01/60216004
Rural firefighters take pass on battling flames at nonpaying residence

Associated Press

Monett, Mo.
Rural firefighters stood by and watched a fire destroy a garage and a vehicle because the property owner, who was injured battling the flames, had not paid membership dues.
Monett Rural Fire Department Chief Ronnie Myers defended the policy, saying the membership-based organization could not survive if people thought the department would respond for free. The department said it will fight a fire without question if a life is believed to be in danger.
Myers said he would make an effort to explain the membership policy to the area's new Hispanic residents after the property's owner, Bibaldo Rueda, said he had never been told of the dues policy since moving there 1 1/2 years ago.
According to Barry County Sheriff's Detective Robert Evenson, the fire broke out Monday on four acres owned by Rueda south of Monett, about 50 miles southwest of Springfield.
Four mobile homes and a number of vehicles were on the property. Rueda managed to get one mobile home out of the way, using a garden hose and buckets, but was burned in the process, Evenson said.
Monett Rural Fire Department responded to the scene but did not fight the fire. Firefighters stood by from the road as the fire burned itself out, watching in case the flames spread to neighboring properties owned by members.
"People need to realize you've got to become a member. If you live outside the city limits, you need to join one of the rural fire departments", Myers said.
Rueda offered to pay, Evenson said, but the Monett department does not have a policy for on-the-spot billing.
Nearby Cassville and Mt. Vernon have gone to tax-supported rural fire districts, following a public vote, wherein all fires are fought.
Rural Monett members have not been asked to choose between memberships and tax support, though they came out strongly against a proposed Aurora Rural Bi-County Fire Protection District, which was voted down in 2001.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-23-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

They should've put out the fire and billed them. That was a pretty crappy thing to do.

Isn't that what happens when an ambulance is called?

Or maybe in Monett it's like this:

Operator: 911 Emergency response, what is your emergency?

Non-paying resident: I'm having a heart attack! Please send help!

Operator: Sorry sir, looks like your dues are unpaid. We'll send someone out to determine if your condition is "life threatening." Are you by any chance hispanic....?

jvan05 · 03-23-2006, 11:12 AM

Our rural fire department collects $35/year for dues. If they fight fire where the owner hasn't paid his dues, it's $500 to open the door and $200/truck. It's happened before, they fought the fire and collected over $1000 after putting the fire out.

Seems pretty simple to me. Monett's rules are fucked.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-23-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvan05

Our rural fire department collects $35/year for dues. If they fight fire where the owner hasn't paid his dues, it's $500 to open the door and $200/truck. It's happened before, they fought the fire and collected over $1000 after putting the fire out.

Seems pretty simple to me. Monett's rules are fucked.

C-Mac · 03-23-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvan05

Our rural fire department collects $35/year for dues. If they fight fire where the owner hasn't paid his dues, it's $500 to open the door and $200/truck. It's happened before, they fought the fire and collected over $1000 after putting the fire out.

Seems pretty simple to me. Monett's rules are fucked.

....rules?

jspchief · 03-23-2006, 11:16 AM

If you were a firefighter, would you have stood back and watched?

I don't think I would have. I'm not widely considered to be a compassionate human, but even with the ice that runs in my veins, I don't think I could have actually stood there and watched this go down.

jvan05 · 03-23-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Mac

....rules?

Ok... policies.

Poster Nutbag · 03-23-2006, 11:18 AM

"Did you know there was a time when firemen used to put out fires?"

Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-23-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

If you were a firefighter, would you have stood back and watched?

I don't think I would have. I'm not widely considered to be a compassionate human, but even with the ice that runs in my veins, I don't think I could have actually stood there and watched this go down.

But he was hispanic!

JBucc · 03-23-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

If you were a firefighter, would you have stood back and watched?

I don't think I would have. I'm not widely considered to be a compassionate human, but even with the ice that runs in my veins, I don't think I could have actually stood there and watched this go down.

I would have put it out just so I could have an excuse to play with my hose...

ROYC75 · 03-23-2006, 11:20 AM

That's why a county wide tax per year is the right plan. All is covered this way.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-23-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

I would have put it out just so I could have an excuse to play with my hose...

You need an excuse?

C-Mac · 03-23-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvan05

Ok... policies.

I was just poking at the thought them not having an ethical set of policies or rules.

JBucc · 03-23-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

You need an excuse?

for my conscience

**Lzen** · 03-23-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pittsie

That's f**** plural, with a s on the end. Meaning the firefighters, not the Hispanic guy.

I knew that. But that's okay, you can continue to be full of crap if you want.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-23-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

for my consciousn

For your conscience?

Oh-for two, man.

03-23-2006, 10:23 AM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2203699	Rural firefighters take pass on battling flames at nonpaying residence http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs...ING01/60216004 Rural firefighters take pass on battling flames at nonpaying residence Associated Press Monett, Mo. Rural firefighters stood by and watched a fire destroy a garage and a vehicle because the property owner, who was injured battling the flames, had not paid membership dues. Monett Rural Fire Department Chief Ronnie Myers defended the policy, saying the membership-based organization could not survive if people thought the department would respond for free. The department said it will fight a fire without question if a life is believed to be in danger. Myers said he would make an effort to explain the membership policy to the area's new Hispanic residents after the property's owner, Bibaldo Rueda, said he had never been told of the dues policy since moving there 1 1/2 years ago. According to Barry County Sheriff's Detective Robert Evenson, the fire broke out Monday on four acres owned by Rueda south of Monett, about 50 miles southwest of Springfield. Four mobile homes and a number of vehicles were on the property. Rueda managed to get one mobile home out of the way, using a garden hose and buckets, but was burned in the process, Evenson said. Monett Rural Fire Department responded to the scene but did not fight the fire. Firefighters stood by from the road as the fire burned itself out, watching in case the flames spread to neighboring properties owned by members. "People need to realize you've got to become a member. If you live outside the city limits, you need to join one of the rural fire departments", Myers said. Rueda offered to pay, Evenson said, but the Monett department does not have a policy for on-the-spot billing. Nearby Cassville and Mt. Vernon have gone to tax-supported rural fire districts, following a public vote, wherein all fires are fought. Rural Monett members have not been asked to choose between memberships and tax support, though they came out strongly against a proposed Aurora Rural Bi-County Fire Protection District, which was voted down in 2001.
Posts: 5,632

03-23-2006, 11:12 AM	#32
jvan05 Rookie Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Fayette, MO Casino cash: $10004900	Our rural fire department collects $35/year for dues. If they fight fire where the owner hasn't paid his dues, it's $500 to open the door and $200/truck. It's happened before, they fought the fire and collected over $1000 after putting the fire out. Seems pretty simple to me. Monett's rules are fucked.
Posts: 7

03-23-2006, 11:16 AM	#35
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	If you were a firefighter, would you have stood back and watched? I don't think I would have. I'm not widely considered to be a compassionate human, but even with the ice that runs in my veins, I don't think I could have actually stood there and watched this go down. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

03-23-2006, 11:18 AM	#37
Poster Nutbag Starter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lawrence Casino cash: $10004900	"Did you know there was a time when firemen used to put out fires?" Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451
Posts: 69

03-23-2006, 11:20 AM	#40
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5549400	That's why a county wide tax per year is the right plan. All is covered this way. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 37,002