The Town’s Fire Brigade

A town funded a fire brigade. Before the brigade existed, every homeowner cleared brush, stored water, and built with care. Fires were rare.

Once the brigade was established, homeowners relaxed. Brush piled up. Water barrels emptied. New homes used cheaper, more flammable materials.

The fire brigade fought more fires each year. The town council blamed bad luck. The brigade chief saw the truth: the safety net had changed the behavior of the people it protected.

The brigade hadn’t just responded to risk. It had quietly created it.