Charging for rescue is ridiculous

Regarding "Crash rescue fee; FDNY wants motorists to reimburse for services" [News, Dec. 11]: Why stop at charging for crashes? Why not charge for fires and first-aid responses as well? Why bother having a fire department at all?

With what's happening in our economy today, why not let it all burn down and start over again?

It's bad enough out here for people who are still able to work, but don't have the luxury of having contractual raises as well as other cash perks to afford gas, heating oil, food, taxes and tolls. Now our "heroes" want to levy a fee when these poor working souls have the unfortunate occurrence of being in an accident.

I for one would refuse and die before I would pay out for a service that is the fundamental right of all taxpayers from their government. Wake up, people. If the fire department gets this, then the next time you call 9-1-1, you will first have to give them your credit card number before you can tell them where the emergency is.

Stephen Vella

Ronkonkoma

So let me get this straight. I'm driving down the street, minding my own business, and someone goes through a stop sign and crashes into me, and I get charged $365. If I'm unlucky enough to be injured, I'm charged $490.

What's next? Is the police department going to charge me if I call to say I was robbed, and charge me extra if I'm also shot during the robbery?

William Jantzen

Northport