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Tennessee Firefighters Let Home Burn Over Subscription Issue
JASON HIBBS
WPSD
Reprinted with Permission
OBION COUNTY, Tenn. - Imagine your home catches fire but the local fire department won't respond, then watches it burn. That's exactly what happened to a local family tonight.
Related
- WPSD: Firefighters Watch as Home Burns to the Ground
- WPSD: More Fallout Following House Fire
- USAToday: Firefighters watch house burn because owner hadn't paid $...
- MSNBC: No pay, no spray: Firefighters let home burn
FireEMSBlogs.com Updates
A local neighborhood is furious after firefighters watched as an Obion County, Tennessee, home burned to the ground.
The homeowner, Gene Cranick, said he offered to pay whatever it would take for firefighters to put out the flames, but was told it was too late. They wouldn't do anything to stop his house from burning.
Each year, Obion County residents must pay $75 if they want fire protection from the city of South Fulton. But the Cranicks did not pay.
The mayor said if homeowners don't pay, they're out of luck.
This fire went on for hours because garden hoses just wouldn't put it out. It wasn't until that fire spread to a neighbor's property, that anyone would respond.
Turns out, the neighbor had paid the fee.
"I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong," said Gene Cranick.
Because of that, not much is left of Cranick's house.
They called 911 several times, and initially the South Fulton Fire Department would not come.
The Cranicks told 9-1-1 they would pay firefighters, whatever the cost, to stop the fire before it spread to their house.
"When I called I told them that. My grandson had already called there and he thought that when I got here I could get something done, I couldn't," Paulette Cranick.
It was only when a neighbor's field caught fire, a neighbor who had paid the county fire service fee, that the department responded. Gene Cranick asked the fire chief to make an exception and save his home, the chief wouldn't.
We asked him why.
He wouldn't talk to us and called police to have us escorted off the property. Police never came but firefighters quickly left the scene. Meanwhile, the Cranick home continued to burn.
We asked the mayor of South Fulton if the chief could have made an exception.
"Anybody that's not in the city of South Fulton, it's a service we offer, either they accept it or they don't," Mayor David Crocker said.
Friends and neighbors said it's a cruel and dangerous city policy but the Cranicks don't blame the firefighters themselves. They blame the people in charge.
"They're doing their job," Paulette Cranick said of the firefighters. "They're doing what they are told to do. It's not their fault."
To give you an idea of just how intense the feelings got in this situation, soon after the fire department returned to the station, the Obion County Sheriff's Department said someone went there and assaulted one of the firefighters.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karr Quintero on -
um? arnt we currently disscusing this in another post? lol
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on -
Karr:
Yes.
This is the news item under the News tab.
It's really not a "discussion" thread.
It's more of an "FYI".
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Permalink Reply by Karr Quintero on
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oh. ok
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Permalink Reply by Sam Cooper on -
Those people who called themselves firefighters are not firefighters. because we take an unspoken oath to protect property and lives. So the so called firefighters broke that oath when they decided to let a man's home burn down. I am one firefighter that would probably have lost his job, because I would have done my job and that is to put out the fire. Those who didn't do their job and waited to put the neighbor's house after it caught fire makes me sick. They should have put both fires out. To me they are not firefighters but sell outs. No mayor for one should say whose house gets saved and whose house gets saved or not. We are firefighters that's our jobs we are suppose to take very proudly, because we are also pillars of the community. I also believe the chief needs to be fired so they can get their respect back with the community they serve.
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Permalink Reply by Karr Quintero on
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way to stand behind your brothers!
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on -
Sam,
Not the Mayor's fault.
Fault of the County Commissioners who govern the unincorporated County areas.
What you're suggesting is freelancing.
I suppose your decisions are better than your chiefs.
To whom did the firefighters sell out to?
Oh yeah, mortgage payments, food, that sort of selfish crap.
I dunno that I'd say that every firefighter is a pillar of the community. Next up - they all wear capes.
Fire the Chief of a city fire department for a problem that is not his fault but that of County Commisioners...can we blame that same chief for the national economy and failing domestic automotive industry as well? I mean, you appear to be looking for a scape goat.
And not sure how you all do it, but my oath was actually out loud. Things said out loud are actually more relevant than those that someone just 'thinks' about.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Armstrong on -
The S**t storm that all those guys would have been much worse for them I think had the have taken Fire trucks to a house that did not pay a fee.Who knows what it would have been.They as crazy as it seems covered their asses doing as they are told to by their employer and it is their employeer that should be strung up and the home owner should have paid for it no matter how rediculous it seems but I'm sure that most of us pay alot more in our taxes for fire protection than 75.00 bucks.Why did he not pay?who knows but I believe he should have been able to pay when he asked.All I know is it is a crazy situation I'm glad I'm not part of.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on -
Those people who called themselves firefighters are not firefighters. because we take an unspoken oath to protect property and lives
No, such an oath falls on the community. I have no obligations whatsoever to protect property in a neighboring community which has no jurisdiction. This means my obligations are at the discretion of my community. If I get called to assist with automatic or mutual aid, then that is the decision made by the officials in charge. It would be one thing if life was threatened, but that wasn't the case.
I am one firefighter that would probably have lost his job, because I would have done my job and that is to put out the fire. Those who didn't do their job and waited to put the neighbor's house after it caught fire makes me sick
Your job is also about following orders....that is what the firefighters here did. Are you also advocating freelancing on a fireground then? Are you advocating disobeying rules or orders because you do not agree with them? If so, you are in the wrong profession.
There really is no difference with the firefighters following orders and standing by and the military standing by until ordered in. As such even the military has an oath to protect and defend as well as FOLLOW ORDERS......despite if those orders conflict with what you think should occur.
What makes me sick are people who have no regard for orders and believe freelancing is acceptable.
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Permalink Reply by Bekks on -
AMEN.
If you are that much of a loose cannon on a scene, you will put your fellow firefighters at risk.
Freelancing is dangerous.
Ignoring orders is dangerous.
If that is how you operate... I am just glad you are not on MY department.
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Permalink Reply by Carol A. Crook on -
Ben, please read Obion County's Outline of their County & Rural Fire District Services formulated in 2008 and you'll read where it clearly states "regardless if Fire Service is subscribed or not; if pd or not then Municipal Fire Depts can help but they w/carry the cost". Then read down to the last paragraph: "5-17-108. Service Supplementary. —Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit in any way the fire departments of anymunicipality or utility district providing fire service, but merely authorizes such county fireprotection service to contract with municipalities or utility districts in order to coordinate fireservice county-wide." Based on this clearly stating nothing to LIMIT IN ANY WAY Fire Depts of ANY Municipality (incl. South Fulton) to provide Fire Service than South Fulton Fire Dept could have & should have responded & done all they could to save the property and pets as they each take an oath too, verbal or silent. Regardless that coordinating a County Fire Dept, this outlines the "intentions" which is to ensure all property & lives, Human or Animal are protected to the best of the Responders abilities. This clearly leads to understand this was a "Policy" issue and direction by the Town Council and/or it's Town Mgr-Administrator or Official designated to implement "policy" & instruct each appropropriate department. However I can't imagine one of our Fire Personnel sit there & watch someone's home and beloved pets die due to $75.00; in fact, I'm very confident knowing our Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief & the Fire Personnel, they would not.
I worked with them thru the Pegram Emergency Mmgt Board & as the Vice Mayor then which I was over Town Operations then & during the May, 2010 Flood here in Pegram, TN. I witnessed first hand their undaunted dedication, care, unselfish hours and days of hard work rescuing citizens, their families & pets. They worked 3 days straight w/little to no sleep & thru it all, they kept a very positive caring attitude and outlook. I know it was very hard for them to see the fear in each person's eyes & face; the tears of many who lost their homes, pets & other property. So again, I'm so confident although they have the greatest respect for Chain of Command, Policy & procedures; if it came down to "Policy" and a citizens home on fire & possible loss of life, regardless if Human or Pet; they would have poured water on the home and attempted to rescue ANY life in the home. They would NOT have just sat there. In fact, knowing our Pegram Fire Chief, Brent Stuart, he would have reqeusted an Emergency Special Called Meeting to address this matter & urged the Council to consider another avenue, direction to collect any Fire Fees without putting a citizens property and/or lives incl their pets at risk of loss. It's INHUMANE to sit & intentionally not do anything, no attempt to "protect property and life". He would not mince words while doing so respectfully. In fact I can hear him say, Fire me if you want but I will not let anyone's home burn and/or lose a life without attempting to put out the fire and/or save a life...
As an Alderman I'll tell you now, I would have to agree w/him... I would want to know since allegedly this couple has paid their Annual Fire Service Fee for few yrs but forgot to date to do so, was a Reminder or 2nd Notice sent as items can get lost in the mail, People get sick, out of town, etc. If not, why not? They should thru Windows set up a Tickler System to remind the Town Hall Staff to send the 2nd Notice when after X # of days-wks past due. So again there are several variables in this terrible tragedy but I can't get past letting "policy" take precedence over citizen property and their family members incl their pets as they are "family".. Fire Dept should have made the call to perform their duties then address it w/the Mayor, Town Mgr and/or Town Council. I guarantee the town incl this couple would fully support the Fire Chief and Fire Dept and would speak out too.
I'm a firm believer in followoing policy and procedures but it doesn't mean it's best in place which most of time is discovered once something happens that demands a review to implement a different policy, etc. However, there has to be common sense and remember the "Human Element".. This is such a tragedy and hopefully, someone in South Fulton-Obion County, TN w/address this matter and the Council will adhere to a policy that is in the "Best Interest of EVERY resident & Property Owner" while remembering there are Human lives involved & it's their "HOME"...Go
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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So, Carol: let me ask you; with this policy that you quote, it appears that the firefighters would have been within their right to fight the fire and ignore the directive by their superiors not to.
What then, in your opinion was so strong and so compelling that it kept the firefighters from carrying out their "oath"?
If they weren't fearful of a charge of insubordination or other similar charges, then what could possibly keep them from suppression tasks at the origin of the fire?
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on -
Carol,
Obion County's rules for their non-fire department aren't the issue.
What is at issue is that the City of South Fulton has the right to respond only to their subscribers outside of their city limits. That is the case in the incident under discussion.
South Fulton did adhere to what is best for every resident and property owner.
It is the PROPERTY OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY to have a subscription in order to protect his/her property when they intentionally built in an area with no fire department.
I have two questions for you:
1) Do you think it's fair for homeowners who have no fire protection contract to demand the same services for free that their neighbors must pay for?
2) Do you think it's right to require the City of South Fulton, population of around 2.500 to subsidize free fire protection for even one homeowner in Obion County, population of over 30,000? Remember, we're talking about a fire department with an annual operating budget of approximately $8,000.
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