I understand rural areas have different needs/problems than urban areas ~ and I also understand that where we live is, in most cases, a personal choice ~ but for me, fire and police are the heart of public life-safety services and should NOT be privatized ~ Sooz

Arizona Couple Gets $20,000 Bill From Private Fire Company After House Fire (VIDEO)
Author: Wes Williams November 11, 2013 6:09 pm

As time goes on, more and more services that used to be provided by the government are being placed in the hands of private corporations. The military, prisons, schools, and public safety services are all being sacrificed at the Republican alter of privatization. Recently, an Arizona couple learned firsthand how this move to privatize services can have a real effect on Americans.

The Rural Metro Fire Department charged the Purcell family almost $20,000 for services rendered in putting out the fire that burned their home to the ground on August 12. According to the Huffington Post, Justin Purcell had no idea of why he received a bill for $19,825 two weeks later. Purcell says that he pays a tax that funds local fire departments. However, that tax does not cover Rural Metro’s services. Thanks to privatization, Rural Metro is an independent agency.

The Purcells were not at home on the night of the fire. They arrived later in the evening to find the smoking remains of their mobile home. Firefighters were still on the scene, putting water on hot spots. Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ reports that volunteer firefighters from Surprise arrived on the scene first. Rural Metro arrived some eleven minutes later.

The charges include $1500 per truck, as well as $150 per firefighter. Rural Metro spokesperson Colin Williams says that the fees are fair.


Williams claims there is a mutual aid agreement with the Surprise Fire Department. However, there is no agreement in writing. He told the Fox10 reporter that they have a “gentleman’s agreement.”

Local residents were unaware that they lacked fire coverage from Rural Metro.

Colin Williams claims that the Purcells chose not to pay for a fire service subscription. However, Kasia Purcell says that she didn’t know such a thing existed until recently. Purcell’s neighbor, Kelly Miller, told Fox10 News that following the fire, area residents received bills from Rural Metro, advising them to pay for fire coverage. Rural Metro has recently filed for bankruptcy, and some residents believe that the company is trying to make money by promoting the fire coverage subscriptions.

Williams says that Rural Metro only recently offered fire service agreements to the area. The reason? The Rural Metro firehouse is 20 minutes away. So it seems that this is what happened: Firefighters from Surprise arrived to fight the fire. Because of the “gentlemen’s agreement” with Rural Metro, the latter arrived to finish the job. Rural Metro then billed the Purcells for being dispatched, even though the local fire department was on the scene.

The hidden effects of privatization.

Justin Purcell told the Huffington Post, “We don’t know how we are going to come up with the money.” He was told by his insurance company that they do not cover fire departments in county areas. The Purcells have just had a baby. Thanks to the fire, and the charges from Rural Metro, the family may wind up having to rely on charity and public assistance to get by. This situation is a classic libertarian fail.

Residents of the area where the Purcells live believed they had fire coverage due to the tax they pay. It seems that no one was told that part of the fire services for the area had been contracted to a private company. No doubt this was an attempt to save money on the part of the government. Thanks to this move, taxpayers may wind up paying to help support Justin and Kasia Purcell and their child. If this turns out to be the case, that cost will certainly be more than what it would have cost the public to provide adequate fire protection for all citizens. When the profit motive is applied to things like prisons, police forces, and fire departments, citizens will pay in more ways than one.

Watch the video:


http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/11/11/rural-metro-bill-fire/

People need to be a lot more careful choosing their public officials. The idea of a government fire department goes all the way back to Benjamin Franklin, for God's sake! It's not as if a municipal fire department is some lefty socialist idea.

It's just so sad that people could get so stupid.

They don't have to pay up, IMO. As I understand it, the home owners weren't home and didn't call the private fire department. Hence, there is no contract.

You'd certainly think so. Send the bill to John McCain.

Fire fighting for profit?
As I said, this country is nuts.
Where I'm from, rural fire fighters are usually volunteers who basically fight for getting in such an honorable club. Alone the fire fighters annual beer fests with all kinds of opportunities to donate for the cause, and the fire fighters women's food are worth it to stop by.
If some large fires get out of control, the brigades from the nearest city show up.
All tax payer financed without blinking an eye.

Employment opportunities for pyromaniacs, though.

jabra2 Post subject: Re: "Private" fire company?Posted: 11/15/13 7:08 pm • # 5


Administrator

Joined: 04/05/09
Posts: 4579
Location: Tampa, Florida Fire fighting for profit?
As I said, this country is nuts.
Where I'm from, rural fire fighters are usually volunteers who basically fight for getting in such an honorable club.

Same where I'm from, Jab.

You didn't have to add my whole life story to prove that there are still some sensible regions in this country...

Sorry. I just go crazy with that cut and paste thing, can't get enough of it. Can never remember to proofread.