quote:

ORIGINAL: MsMJAY

Another source

The bill was itemized. "$1,500 a truck," said Purcell. The bill shows one truck stayed on scene for six hours, a second truck was there for four. Each truck included three firefighters. "I think they were paying the firefighters $150 an hour and there were several of them,"

We asked to look at the mutual aid agreement, but we're told there isn't one in writing.
"We do have what I call a gentleman's agreement," said Williams. (Public Info. Officer for Rural Metro Fire)

Volunteer firefighters were on the scene within 13 minutes. It took Rural Metro 24 minutes to get there.

residents were skeptical that Rural Metro, who just filed for bankruptcy, was trying to make a buck

Based on all the above I would write them a check for "Go to hell" with a bonus of "kiss my ass."

quote:

ORIGINAL: EdBowie

If he bought a house where fire services were scarce, the mortgage or insurance company probably had him sign up for supplemental  services.  The sticking point seems to be that when he paid the $500 fee to join, he thought that was all there was to it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: joether
This has come up all over the news reports within the last 24 hours. Given other news event I can see why it didn't get posted yesterday. A man named Justin Purcell in Arizona had his house burned down while he and his wife were away. The insurance would pay for the damages which is fine, but wont pay for the fire fighting services rendered. That's right, a private fire fighting company showed up and attempted to put the fire out. After it burned to the ground they sent a $20,000 bill to Mr. Purcell for 'services and equipment' rendered on the date.
SOURCE
In Business 101, if I do not ask for a service, but it is rendered to me, I am NOT forced to pay the bill. If the house was saved for the most part and could be repaired, that would be one thing. But burned to the ground? There is an expectation that what is being charged was fair and honest on a bill. They were not called up by the home owner, did not save the house on any level, but feel its within their right to charge the home owner for 'services rendered'. Would you pay this bill if you were in Mr. Purcell's shoes right now?

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
• Limited Government
  
• Consumption Tax (non-profit charities and food exempt)
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: EdBowie

Suuuuure you would.  Do you renege on all your contracts?

quote:

ORIGINAL: MsMJAY

Another source

The bill was itemized. "$1,500 a truck," said Purcell. The bill shows one truck stayed on scene for six hours, a second truck was there for four. Each truck included three firefighters. "I think they were paying the firefighters $150 an hour and there were several of them,"

We asked to look at the mutual aid agreement, but we're told there isn't one in writing.
"We do have what I call a gentleman's agreement," said Williams. (Public Info. Officer for Rural Metro Fire)

Volunteer firefighters were on the scene within 13 minutes. It took Rural Metro 24 minutes to get there.

residents were skeptical that Rural Metro, who just filed for bankruptcy, was trying to make a buck

Based on all the above I would write them a check for "Go to hell" with a bonus of "kiss my ass."

quote:

ORIGINAL: MsMJAY

What contract? That's the point. The private Fire Department did not have a contract. They claim they had a "gentleman's agreement" whatever that means. If they are not business minded enough to even have anything in writing from the homeowners or the local government, I fail to see how they can claim ANY legal right to payment.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EdBowie

Suuuuure you would.  Do you renege on all your contracts?

quote:

ORIGINAL: MsMJAY

Another source

The bill was itemized. "$1,500 a truck," said Purcell. The bill shows one truck stayed on scene for six hours, a second truck was there for four. Each truck included three firefighters. "I think they were paying the firefighters $150 an hour and there were several of them,"

We asked to look at the mutual aid agreement, but we're told there isn't one in writing.
"We do have what I call a gentleman's agreement," said Williams. (Public Info. Officer for Rural Metro Fire)

Volunteer firefighters were on the scene within 13 minutes. It took Rural Metro 24 minutes to get there.

residents were skeptical that Rural Metro, who just filed for bankruptcy, was trying to make a buck

Based on all the above I would write them a check for "Go to hell" with a bonus of "kiss my ass."

quote:

ORIGINAL: EdBowie
Then how did he get homeowners insurance if the nearest volunteer squad was 15 minutes away? I suspect there's a little bit more to the story than first reports.

quote:

ORIGINAL: joether
Would you pay this bill if you were in Mr. Purcell's shoes right now?

quote:

ORIGINAL: joether

quote:

ORIGINAL: EdBowie
Then how did he get homeowners insurance if the nearest volunteer squad was 15 minutes away? I suspect there's a little bit more to the story than first reports.

From what I gathered in various news reports on different sites, is that the home owner had homeowner's insurance. But that the insurance did not cover fire fighting costs. I believe the link I placed in the original post states that as well. Why it doesn't include this cost I do not know.