Reply #130: All of that is IRRELEVANT if a verbal contract is made on the spot betwen the homeowner and the FD.

[BzaDem]

If the FD said "do you agree to pay 20k if we put out your fire," and the homeowner said "yes," NONE of what you just posted is at all relevant. That would be a valid contract REGARDLESS of all of those questions, enforceable in a court of law REGARDLESS of those questions. Even if it crosses state lines, it would still be a perfectly valid contract that courts have authority to enforce.