One question, one comment:

I think some people would agree that if you decided to skip the fee and make other arrangements, that would be a legitimate approach (if you can do that for less than $75/year). In the case of South Fulton, paying the fee meant you got a truck dispatched if it was available. There wasn't a guarantee of fire service. If you live in a remote area (not saying Obion counts) what should you have on hand to fight fire, i.e. minimum water on site, fire blankets, etc?

Some folks refer to the fee as insurance. Insurance is protection against a financial loss. You pay the premium and meet the requirements of the policy, they reimburse you.

Fire service fees and volunteer firefighting companies are a cooperative. You contribute to purchase/maintain buildings/equipment and provide training. If you pay the fee (or perhaps contribute labor) you get service free or at a reduced rate.

One eliminates or reduces the financial loss. The other eliminates or reduces the personal and property loss. Although a few news sources suggest that fire insurance companies used to provide funding and equipment to fire stations.