Forget about Health Care Reform!

I want to talk about another reform--FIRE DEPARTMENT REFORM. Why should YOUR tax dollars pay for someone who is irresponsible enough to smoke in the house, or to choose to rent or own property in areas historically vulnerable to wildfires? Fire safety in the home should be everyone's personal responsibility. I propose a creation of a system of privatized FSMOs--Fire Safety Management Organizations. By enrolling in a FSMO plan you will become eligible for access to fire safety services in the event of a fire in your home. You will be able to select from a variety of plans, ranging from the plans with a high monthly premium and a low annual deductible to the ones with a low monthly premium and a higher annual deductible. Families with young children, smokers, gas stoves, and individuals or families residing in areas that have experienced nonstructured fires, other than prescribed fires, occurring in the wildlands in the last 15 years (including but not limited to some residents of California, Texas, New Mexico and Oregon) may have to pay higher premiums.

In the event of a fire in your home you will be protected. In the event of a fire simply call your FSMO free 800 number and receive an authorization code. Then call your in-network Fire Safety Provider*, and they will dispatch a unit to your house to assist you**. Make sure you always have your FSMO card with you so that you can present it to your Fire Safety Provider ***

How many times have you had a fire in your home and then waited for hours for the government-funded Fire Department to show up? The FSMO model offers efficiency and speed at a low cost. In the privatized system you know that your tax dollars are not subsidizing other people's poor choices, and at the same time the enrollment rates will be kept low and the quality of service will be kept high by competition between FSMOs. YOU as a customer will have the choice to enroll in a different FSMO if you are not satisfied with the extent and the quality of your coverage****.

*Your FSMO may not cover the expenses incurred by contracting an out-of-network Fire Safety Provider. If you enroll in a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan with your FSMO, you may receive 50% reimbursement for services rendered by FSPs outside your network.

**Certain services are not covered or only partially covered. Application of water to the fire is covered at 80% of the cost. If additional materials such as water-based fire retardant foam are needed for smothering the fire, or if dry chemical or halogenated agents are used for chemical flame inhibition, the cost of the agents must be paid for out of pocket, and will then be reimbursed at 50% of the standard rate.

***Failure to do so may result in you receiving an itemized bill from your engaged Fire Safety Provider. In that case you must pay the bill out of pocket, and you may submit your expenses to the FSMO for reimbursement within 30 days. Please allow up to 12 weeks for a decision on your reimbursement claim.

****Some conditions may apply. Failure to hold a FSMO policy for longer than 60 days may render you ineligible for enrollment in an FSMO program in the future. Failure to disclose any risk factors, including a history of smoking, or presence of any children under 18 not listed on the policy on your property gives the FSMO the right to cancel your policy without reimbursement.