We have to live with that everday where I respond. Its one thing in rural areas where there aren't many responders and its all volunteer, its another thing in the metro. In one community, the Fire engine have ALS first response capabilities and suddenly they think they are better than us. Funny thing is most of the Paramedics they have used to be our own employees. Fire service in the US are the "heroes" who can do no wrong and us just the "cot jockeys" and they love to play that political game. Esp since 9/11 when as far as the media was concerned.. it was only NYFD responding and doing anything. Nobody else even showed up.