While we certainly wouldn't want to reduce the readiness of the Firefighters to protect us, I wonder if they are a bit bloated now anyway.
I thought those fancy new fast response vehicles were intended to cut down on the number of firemen responding to the vast majority of their calls.

Maybe the union boss should just go chill out on that fancy new fireboat awhile.

The RRVs are really only good for low level medical calls, which most calls aren't.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.s…

I find it very troubling that firefighters are considering charging for their services.
Will this lead to something similar to cops making speed traps to generate revenue?
This should remain covered by taxes.

Firefighters charging insurers = insurance rates going up. Simple as that.

Just remember that it wouldn't be firefighters charging citizens additional service fees; it is your elected official that is calling for additional fees. The firefighter's job is to respond to whatever emergency he/she is dispatched to and, hopefully, leave that situation better than he/she found it.