It's not 75 bucks.  It's the entire cost of the association which he reneged on.

I suppose after the fire started, he called the local insurance agency who had offered to sell him insurance five years ago, and now he wants them to pay his claim, too?

If this was a government department, there would be no question here, but I take it this is a private, owner-financed association.  If that's the case, he is not part of their responsibility.  They are no different then the NYFD in regard to his fire.  

What happens if the association loses equipment while fighting a fire that they are not supposed to be at?  Do they have coverage for free-lancing?  Worse yet, what if someone is injured?