Who's going to pay for it?

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Alan A

If they charged I - personally - would be asking why I’m paying taxes that fund them.

But I have the same issue with the local ‘volunteer’ fire department. There’s not inconsequential line on the tax levy, they employ full time firefighters but still claim it’s all volunteer and ask for $ on a regular basis. Drop the volunteer and raise taxes or drop the tax and ask for $.

Either works. The double dipping doesn’t.

Wages are not nearly the only fire protection expense. A quick Google search suggests the cost of a ladder truck is around $2 million. And then there are the costs of maintenance and repair, and storage out of the rain and sun. Heck....the cost of a full fire fighting suit is probably more than you could guess. Another quick Google search estimates $13,480. So yeah, your volunteer fire organization is not free. Or we could just reduce the public cost to $0 and watch houses burn. Or pay private companies to protect us. Which would not be cheaper but at least there would be less to complain about. But then we would not have as much to complain about.

[Jeff Hail]

Originally Posted by Superman

You live in the wrong place, Jeff. Wrong state, and wrong country. You might be happier not living in a first world country. They are characterized by entities of sluggishness and wasteful practices. This is what defines them.

Never meantioned the state or country. Was referring to management. It has its moments. I support this country all the time and the government when it deserves it.

[Superman]

Good for you, Jeff. And I acknowledge that government processes are often....curious. And sometimes idiotic. But sometimes only 'curious' until someone knows everything the decision-maker knew.

Beneath your avatar is "Somewhere in North L.A County." I assumed I understood this location.

[FOG]

Some parts of the government such as the USCG are there for just these things. Most are not sitting there, not training just waiting around.

The classic case is the JFKjr stupidity. The KC-130s at Cherry Point were pulled from planned training to fly around when they knew crash was nu-survivable before they first took off. The KC-130s were supposed to be training for FWAR, DEFTAC, and support Marines/Special Forces training. All the training was canceled. The costs came out of their training budget which is not re-imbursed thus reducing the training of the KC-130s. It also reduced/canceled the jet squadrons and Marines/SF training with those costs.

I have talked to mountain climbers going to Mt. Hood. They were deliberately taking a more dangerous/challenging route with the position that if/when they got in trouble the Jollys would come rescue them.

My thought is there should be re-reimbursements when conducting activities outside the norm. Pay to play.

S/F, FOG

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Superman

Wages are not nearly the only fire protection expense. A quick Google search suggests the cost of a ladder truck is around $2 million. And then there are the costs of maintenance and repair, and storage out of the rain and sun. Heck....the cost of a full fire fighting suit is probably more than you could guess. Another quick Google search estimates $13,480. So yeah, your volunteer fire organization is not free. Or we could just reduce the public cost to $0 and watch houses burn. Or pay private companies to protect us. Which would not be cheaper but at least there would be less to complain about. But then we would not have as much to complain about.

I’m ok with paying for it. I already said that.

What I find objectionable is them categorizing themselves as volunteer and asking for donations, when we are taxed for their service.

One or the other, not both.

Which is also how I feel about the coast guard. I’m good with the tiny bit of my taxes that funds it. I’d be less good if I got a bill if I needed them.

Edit: To add context - my portion of the tax bill for these “volunteers” is four figures annually. The amount is more than the levy for road repair (which is the second highest line item) and more than the total for anything except schools - commenting on which would parf this in a heartbeat.