Can Fire department charge you for their service?

My Ford Ranger caught fire when I was driving on I-5 in Oregon and got destroyed. It took 40 mins for the Fire Department to show up. By then, everything was burned down. So they basically didn't have to anything. Now they are sending me a $150 bill for their service. How can they do this? I had minimum liablity insurance, so my insurance company is not covering it. As a tax payer, why do I have to pay for this kind of services? Have you handled anything like this?

Apparently, they can.

There are variables. Do you live in their taxation area? Your taxes are to pay for the fire department, Even the volunteer ones. If you live in a "secured estate" you may be charged. If you live out of their jurisdiction you may be charge. For the most part, fire departments DON'T charge for their services (at least in the US of A.- with the possible exception of California)