When Vicky Bell discovered that her mobile home had caught fire she did what most reasonable people would by calling 9-1-1. However, when the fire department arrived with trucks and men following her call they refused to act. Bell and her husband were forced to run inside the home to save what belongings they could before the structure was entirely engulfed with flames. In the end Bell lost her home and many of her possessions because of a local government policy which demands citizens pay a “subscription fee” in order to receive fire protection.
The incident is a repeat from last year, when the national media picked up on a similar story from the exact same county in Obion, Tennessee. That story ignited a debate about the proper role of government. David Crocker, the mayor of closest town providing fire services to rural residents, argues that the subscription fee is necessary to pay for the costs of the fire department. Traditionally fire protection has been paid for through taxes with everyone receiving equal protection. However, some areas are now replacing the traditional model with a fee-for-service system in which each owner is required to “pay their own way.” Those who forget to pay, refuse to pay, or simply cannot pay are not given any services. Crocker claims that if the fire department helped residents who had not paid the fee it would discourage others from paying the fee.
Progressives argue the policy is unwise and morally reprehensible. By not providing fire protection for some homes the policy may represent a danger to the whole community, since fires have been known to spread from time to time. In addition, homeowners like Vicki Bell may endanger their lives trying to save their homes and possessions while the fire department sits on the sidelines. If Bell had seriously injured herself, and been unable to pay the bill for her treatment, the state would ultimately pick up the bill for her care. Finally, it would seem to make more sense to simply fine property owners for not paying a subscription fee rather than letting their possessions turn into ashes. Instead firemen who were perfectly capable of stopping a fire let a house burn to the ground in order to uphold the conservative ideal of personal responsibility.
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