What if he couldn't pay? What if someone else in the community couldn't pay for financial burden, their home burns to the ground? It is ridiculous to pay a insurance fee for a public utility, especially if they already pay property taxes. I'm sure it hurts to see your belongings burn to the ground especially the irreplaceable things, but I'm sure he's not out a home and gonna be living on the streets, his home owners insurance will cover the costs, and you know what in most cases will cover the bill the FD sends you after they come out. Would he have gotten another bill even if he had paid? If so then yeah definitely he should have said fuk you to their fee, and sued the FD for extortion after they let his house burn to the ground. remember they are volunteer, it should cost nothing for a crew to be there 24/7 on call, they are volunteering their time.