One thread of fact that you see woven in most all fires that we are involved with is people helping people. We are volunteers. That simply means we have a life beyond the fire department. We respond to fires when we can and as often as we can. Sometimes we are in a position where we cannot respond personally and we have to deal with that. Even I cannot attend every fire run.
It is ok to help your neighbor. It is ok to get a water hose, after you call the fire department, and start watering down the grass around a grass fire. It is ok to look at your neighbors house occasionally and see if anything is different or just don't look right.
We do not promote any agressive action if it would put your life in danger, but, it is still ok to try and help out. Two sets of eyes are better than one. When the fire department gets there then let them have it. You have done your part. If they need your help then they will surely ask for it. We have done it in the past.