[VINMAN]

I wouldnt say I'm the most qualified but..

GWN pretty much said most of what I would have stated myself. There are way too many factors to determine stafing and equipment requirements.
One thing I dont not want to do is get in an argument over the capabilities and response of volunteer depts. So I will leave that area alone.
As far as Paramedics and ALS, i dont know enough about that to comment.
My dept is a suburban dept. Mid level housing density. Some farms. and horse farms. Light industy.Many strip malls, Large shopping mall. Has two major highways and a rail freight line running through it.
Another thing people need to realize is that the role of the modern fire dept has drastically changed. Nowadays, actual fires play a small part of most depts duties.
Besides your traditional structure fires, we handle MVAs, vehicle extrication, wildfires, confined space rescue, high angle rescue, water and ice rescue, animal rescue, storm response, dewatering assignments, etc, etc.... So for those that think most paid fire, depts just get paid to sit around and wait for something to burn think again.
Sure the amounts of fires in this country have been drastically reduced over the past few decades, mainly due to better constructon , and education, Fire depts do alot more than you think.


FF 20 yrs. 10 as line officer 4 as department Chief