Before then they had fire departments open to everyone, you would have to pay separately for "fire service" kind of like a home security but instead for if your house catches on fire, so if you didnt have a sticker on your house saying you paid then they will drive right pass or try to get you to join their company, lots of fights started from fire departments trying to steal another ones "customers". The government has the right to tax so either way they will take our money but instead we don't have to pay separately for fire service, seems fair to me. (see I pay attention in school at times ^-^) Also these guys are risking their lives to save other people. They aren't causing trouble or anything SO WHY NOT LET THEM BE???