Fire department lets man's house burn down!

Nope I don't think so, that only creates another exception "you don't have to pay, unless you actually have a fire"
It's like insurance, you don't drive your car with no insurance, then when you hit someone go "hold on a minute I'll just go buy a policy"
They're an important service, they deserve to be paid in a consistent manner, I have alot of respect for the men that put there own lives at risk, to run into burning buildings to save lives and property.

Like I said before though, maybe it should be lumped into a local no choice council tax or something, but I exspect that'll have a few non fans.