Well, from another quarter, we have had fire companies responding with us for a long time (10+ years). Sure some of them don't want to do EMS as a primary function of the Fire Service but they recognized that they frequently can provide a faster response time than some of the EMS units. Most for the fire personnel rerspoinding on the fire apparatus are not trained to the EMT or Paramedic level but only in First Response. What this has done for us is given us a cadre of responders who can respond rapidly to calls for life threatening situations and provide immediate intervention with very Basic Life Support skills and an AED. At worst it gives us 3 or 4 additional personnel for lift and carry help and to watch our backs when we need it. Is it a perfect system? Far from it. But all sides have seen this as part fo their obligation to serve the community. Personally, when my airway is obstructed I don;t care if it is a firefighter or EMS personnel that opens it as long as someone is there quick to do it.