Coverage of most recent Obion County incident here & here
Previous coverage here, here, here, here, here, here and here
Randy Evans has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years and is a member of the Obion City Fire Department. His department is one that serves Obion County with a subscription fire service but was not involved in Monday's fire that has again put the local fire department's in the news around the world.
Even though it was the South Fulton Fire Department that followed it's town policy of letting property belonging to non-subscribers burn, Obion City FD has been receving hate mail and death threats because of its name. They have been forced to take down the department's Facebook page.
Evans says it is time for Obion County to end pay for spray. Here are excerpts from an article by Jason Hibbs at WPSD-TV:
"We've had everything from "I'm going to shoot every firefighter to we're going to burn station to we're not American," Evans said.
But as nasty as these confused callers can be, deep down, this firefighter shares their concerns, since his own department has the same pay for spray policy.
Evans said in addition to a countywide public relations nightmare, pay for spray makes it tough to recruit new, young firefighters. He fears if something doesn't change, you'll see fewer new firefighters and more empty lockers.
"We plead with the county court to turn our hands loose, work with us, give us the opportunity to serve Obion County," Evans said.
It's just sheer luck that Obion Fire Department has never had to turn down a call. But it could happen someday. We asked Evans what he would do if they got a call from someone who hadn't paid the fee. He said he didn't want to discuss that.
Also on STATter911 …
- South Fulton, Tennessee’s Fire Department makes news after watching another house burn. ‘Pay for spray’ subscription policy in Obion County brings more heat for firefighters. – December 6, 2011
- Making a bad situation worse. Obion County, TN wants firefighters to be on the hook if county makes mistake in the ‘pay for spray’ subscription list. – April 19, 2012
- Local chief gives update on Obion County, TN ‘pay for spray’ policy. Union City’s Kelly Edmison says tax is cheaper than subscription, – December 9, 2011
- ‘Pay for spray’ update: Tennessee’s South Fulton FD says it was not on scene of controversial fire. Local chief says Kentucky company got close but had no authority to act. – December 9, 2011
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I am sure my comments won't be too popular, but here we go. The trailer owner was aware that there was a $ 75.00 fee to fire fires in the unincorporated area. For whatever reason, she failed to pay their fee and lost her trailer. I am not in agreement with the way the fee is handled, but the county voters need to change it. The cost of fire protection should be included within their property taxes. But until it's changed, the rural fire departments are desperate for funding.
PS- I work in the South, it's amazing how the liquor & cigarette business continues to thrive in this poor economy. I am not saying anything derogatory in regard to this case, but some people need to have better priorities.
This firefighter is pleading to the wrong people, he states he hope the court unties their hands???? The people of the county have VOTED down by ballot vote to not protect the entire county with fire protection through a property, fire tax or levy. Therefore the county residents, who feel they would rather have the personal choice to buy a subscription or not is the one's to blame here. This has been discussed, proposed, and ultimately shot down due to the residents feeling they shouldn't fund there neighbor's protection.
Amazing what can happen if you voice your opinion. In just 3 days the comments on this story went well over 100 and made national news. No matter what you think or who's side you are on with this story all it takes is one person to stand up, outstanding Mr. Evans.
As a retired professional firefighter,I find this situation totally unacceptable. If this fire department takes any federal or state money, they should have put this fire out. Does this mean that the police department can watch someone being victimized,and not do something?My father was a volunteer firefighter for 35 years and I remember doing some fundraising with him. They did anything that they could to bring in money for the fire department
I certainly hope this story stays in the news! The more people who hear about – despite which side they take – and the more negative press it receives, will hopefully cause the county and So. Fulton to change their policies. I for one make sure that it stays at the top of my Facebook page and there is at times a heated debate between those who think what the fire department did was fair and correct and those who think it was morally wrong. I have seen this story shared over and over again on Facebook and Twitter. Its now a national news story on CNN and Yahoo News.
Good job Evans for speaking out!!
I don't like the policy because it puts FF's in a bad spot to decide who gets service. I also can't figure out that people want to donate to this family. It was their own fault for not paying for fire protection, yet they are getting support from the country to donate things. She even admitted she knew about the policy, decided NOT to pay it because "they didn't think it could happen to them." In countries like China, France, and England, it's NOT ok to have a fire. You could get a fine and it's considered a disgrace to have your house burn down. Here, people want to give you free stuff and say "it's ok, things happen" and they get rewarded for their own ingnorance. It was a choice they made…now they have to live with that choice.
I wonder what the mortgage companies require to get a loan or if paying the subsciption has to be paid for a pay out?.