In my previous article, I spoke about holding people accountable for negligent acts as they relate to fire. I highlighted the efforts of Ontario Fire Marshall Pat Burke who wanted people to be held criminally responsible if they risked or caused fires through negligence such as refusing to install detectors or teach children to escape. Following on from this, some recent articles have caught my eye.
I read a great posting on the Firegeezer blog earlier this month concerning a town in Michigan that was going to begin to charge residents for fire response. It was also covered by one of the best reporters in the business here in D.C. —STATter911 — on his blog.
This is basically similar to the EMS Fee for Service that many jurisdictions across the country have, or are, implementing. As with the EMS Fee for Service, the leaders in Leoni Township state that much of the cost will be paid by insurance companies.
While my friends Bill (Firegeezer) and Dave (STATer911) pose great questions relating to this subject, I prefer to take a different approach. My thought would be why not charge these folks only if they are found to be negligent in their acts which lead to the fire? In other words, if your actions, or lack thereof, cause the fire — then you pay!
How many folks would continue to put their fireplace ashes in a plastic bag and then in a plastic garbage can in their garage if others in the community were literally paying for their own similar negligent acts? Bet after a few news stories in the local media on the topic, people would pay attention and change their habits!
It can also be instituted for other types of calls that require a fire truck response. For example, an engine and ambulance respond to a motor vehicle crash that is later determined to be caused by a drunk driver. Why not have the person who was negligent, in this case the drunk driver, pay for the service?
After all, at some point he will pay some court costs (and possibly do jail time) and his insurance company will have to reimburse any innocent victims associated with the crash. Why should the local law-abiding taxpayer (or donator to the local VFD) bear the burden of cost for those who are negligent? Especially those who are criminally negligent? And especially with the ever escalating cost of fuel.
As a society, we need to hold people accountable for their actions if we are to ever effect a cultural change in attitude toward preventable fire death and injury.
Sadly, people do not respond to reasonable educational discussion as it relates to their own safety. It is only when there is a threat of legal and financial ramifications do people tend to pay attention and change their behavior.