Not so sure that sending a fire engine to replace a quids worth of battery is economic or sensible use of public funding though.......
Why can't people accept responsibility for their own well being? Just a thought.
The fire service would FAR rather go there in the fire engine to go and fit/fix smoke alarms, then go their in the fire engine to rescue people stuck inside a burning building.
And bert makes a good point, if they get an important shout, then they're ready to go, don't have to go back to the station to pick up the engine and the rest of the crew.
I imagine the fire brigade don't have a whole lot to do when not on a shout, apart from sorting the equipment and possibly dealing with paperwork. Best get them out and about helping the community.