Getting OT RE: [at-l] Strange Choice of Arsonists

[nealb@midlandstech.com (William Neal)]

One problem with this line of thought:  In many cases, even when paid, they
spend more money on their equipment than they earn from the extra income.
Only in certain prime areas -- such as areas out West that are prone to
large forest fires --  do they earn a "profit".  And most of those belong to
special crews.  

My ex's husband told me in his fire dept. he always told "new" vols. to
expect to pay out more than "$1,000" per year  for their "personal"
equipment.  That's why so many rural FDs have barbeques, bucket stops, etc.


As for the fact that so many are from "low income" and "want" to earn extra
money, in another posting of mine to this thread, the two fire fighters
caught starting fires were middle-class, middle to upper middle income
people.

And most vols. with some experience know that any fire can be more expensive
to them than can any money they earn.

Being prone to starting fires has nothing to do with income except for a
very few.  Most low-income vols. are in the same boat as the rest of the
vols. -- they hate fires and what they can do. Most fire bugs are not in it
for the money; they have other agendas.  And even some who do it for the
money have other reasons that motivate them -- the money is a side benefit.
And if they could start fires "legally" by paying someone money for a
"license", they would earn all the money they could so they could start
fires.

William, The Turtle

PS	My ex and her husband could qualify as "low income, rural", but he
has come close to losing his life fighting fires, and so has other of his
depts. that lie in "low income, rural" areas.  

-----Original Message-----
From: RoksnRoots@aol.com [mailto:RoksnRoots@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 11:04 AM
To: AT-L@backcountry.net
Subject: [at-l] Strange Choice of Arsonists


In a message dated 6/30/2002 11:50:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
bmcgarrahan@sc.rr.com writes:


> There is a problem with firefighter arsonists.



      ***    You're omitting the obvious. Many of these people come from 
rural low income backgrounds where fire suppression is an important source
of 
seasonal income. A mysterious fire set by unknown arsons suspected of having

some kind of grudge puts a lot of friends to work...


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