Southwest Missouri firefighters watch as fire hits nonmember

Associated Press

MONETT, Mo. - Rural firefighters in southwest Missouri stood by and watched a fire destroy a garage and a vehicle because the property owner, who was injured battling the flames, had not paid membership dues.

Monett Rural Fire Department Chief Ronnie Myers defended the policy, saying the membership-based organization could not survive if people thought the department would respond for free. The department said it will fight a fire without question if a life is believed to be in danger.
Myers said he would make an effort to explain the membership policy to the area's new Hispanic residents after the property's owner, Bibaldo Rueda, said he had never been told of the dues policy since moving there 1 1/2 years ago.

According to Barry County Sheriff's Detective Robert Evenson, the fire broke out Monday on four acres owned by Rueda south of Monett, about 50 miles southwest of Springfield.
Four mobile homes and a number of vehicles were on the property. Rueda managed to get one mobile home out of the way, using a garden hose and buckets, but was burned in the process, Evenson said. According to the sheriff's office, Rueda suffered first- and second-degree burns.

Monett Rural Fire Department responded to the scene but did not fight the fire. Firefighters stood by from the road as the fire burned itself out, watching in case the flames spread to neighboring properties owned by members.

"People need to realize you've got to become a member. If you live outside the city limits, you need to join one of the rural fire departments," Myers said.

Rueda offered to pay, Evenson said, but the Monett department does not have a policy for on-the-spot billing.

Nearby Cassville and Mt. Vernon have gone to tax-supported rural fire districts, following a public vote, wherein all fires are fought.

Rural Monett members have not been asked to choose between memberships and tax support, though they came out strongly against a proposed Aurora Rural Bi-County Fire Protection District, which was voted down in 2001.

Rueda offered to pay, Evenson said, but the Monett department does not have a policy for on-the-spot billing.

Don't you mean "Mizzites" ?

fo shizzle

I can't believe there's not some kind of oath for fireman that would force them to help put out a fire. Like the Hippocratic Oath for doctors. If I were a fireman that sat and watched a man hurt himself putting out a fire, even after he begged to pay me on the spot, I wouldn't be able to face my family at Thanksgiving.

this is how all fire departments started. back in the day of course, not 2006.

What if he begged you in Spanish and you don't understand Spanish?

Lets say these guys started putting out fires for anyone who hadnt paid to join up... then no one would pay.... and then there would be NO fire service available for anyone- willing to pay or not.

It sucks for the guy, but it was his responsibility to research these things and make sure that his property was protected- he chose not to, and now has to deal with it.

If you go to an emergency room, and you're hurt badly, they ask for your insurance info, but they aren't going to send you away if you are bleeding out just because you may be unable to pay.

I think in the same way, they could bill the guy afterwards, and probably even put a lien on his house if he refused to pay.

But this personal property- they stated if any life was at risk, they would not think twice about helping, so the hospital comparison is not valid....

If your fridge breaks, the repairman is not obligated to help you- even if you offer to pay.

But this personal property- they stated if any life was at risk, they would not think twice about helping, so the hospital comparison is not valid....