Fire department did not respond to deadly fire because First Nations 3 months behind on fire bill

[KamaAina]

Now this madness has spread to Canada!!

http://aptn.ca/news/2015/02/18/fire-department-respond-deadly-fire-fn-3-months-behind-fire-bill/

Local RCMP officers were the first responders at the scene of the fire on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation which left two young children dead.

RCMP officers watched the children’s biological father bring his two-year-old boy and 18-month-old daughter out of the burning home. The two children were pronounced dead at the scene and their grandmother, who was also in the house, was taken to hospital, treated and later released.

Documents obtained by APTN National News show the First Nation had a fee-for-service arrangement with the Loon Lake volunteer fire department. The fire department did not respond to the fire because the band was three months behind on their fire bill, according to a letter sent to the band by the Village of Loon Lake. The band was sent the letter on Jan. 30 and it was written by the village administrator.

“The band is now well over three months behind on payments for their fire bills,” said the letter from village administrator Laurie Lehoux, who is also the fire department’s bookkeeper. “The Loon Lake Fire Department will not be responding to any fires on the First Nations until this account is paid in full.”

[Xipe Totec]

1. I guess there's no point in paying them now, period. nt

[blkmusclmachine]

2. Canada is US North. Now watch them take a sledgehammer to your Civil Rights. You all already have

the cameras up, just like down South.

[procon]

3. Its a time warp back to the heady days of Boss Tweed.

Back in the 1840s there were no fire departments, but there were fire gangs like those depicted in Martin Scorcese’s "Gangs of New York". If you didn't learn about Tweed and the graft and corruption of Tammany Hall, the movie gives a brief glimpse as to why we switched from privately paid fire departments to public services. Better yet, just ask how month money two children are worth when you read this a few more times:

"RCMP officers watched the children’s biological father bring his two-year-old boy and 18-month-old daughter out of the burning home. The two children were pronounced dead at the scene..."

[lpbk2713]

4. No such thing as a "matter of life or death"?

"Don't call us. We'll call you."

[dilby]

5. Fine don't save the building, but save the fucking kids.

I don't even see how the members of that fire department can live with themselves.

[onethatcares]

6. fucking bill is paid

in blood.

the First Nations have a large credit at this point in my opinion.

[surrealAmerican]

7. It's a good illustration of why "fee for service" fire departments are a very bad idea.

I'm surprised this is allowed in Canada.