REALLY? How much knowledge do you think it takes to accurately assess and treat a patient in extremis? As opposed to pouring water onto a fire? Different set of skills, different set of requirements. I have no desire to be a FF, nor try to tell them how to do their jobs. I little courtesy and respect back would go a long way. For a fire organization to think they know ANYTHING about medical care is equivalent to a doctor (nurse, paramedic, EMT, what-have-you) thinking they know anything about putting water on a fire.
The issue isn't whether FFs should be providing medical care. Some do, and do it very well. Usually, because that's actually their focus. The issue is the fire service as a whole thinking they know better and/or more than the people who actually DO provide patient care. AND they expect to get even more money for trying to do a job they shouldn't be.
