It would be absurd to leave firefighting to market forces
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IN HIS July 5 letter “Let the market cultivate new ideas,’’ Brandon Pizzola suggests that letting private companies be responsible for firefighting would ensure adequate services for all. Pizzola suggests that the “laws of economics’’ would induce profit-seeking companies to provide innovative service to both rich and poor.
Unfortunately, the so-called laws of economics are violated by reality regularly. One need look no further than our chaotic healthcare system or California’s disastrous experience with the privatization of electric power.
Pizzola says that, seeking profit, businesses “would develop fire plans to help both the rich and poor because they could profit from tailoring plans to the needs of each group.’’ But what exactly are the different needs? If your house is on fire, you need someone to put it out. Perhaps with the cheaper plan a company would agree to save only half your house.
This is a case of taking a reasonable idea - the efficiency of the market in some areas - and pushing it into the realms of absurdity.
An essential service such as firefighting is far too critical to be left to the private market.
Robert Foley
Reading 
