"To my mind, the last place to cut spending should be fire/EMS. Emergency Services are at the top of the list of what "government" should do."

I have noticed over many years that when the state/county/city currently feels "monetary stress" and cut/reduce services, the services they cut are the most visible ones: fire, EMTs, police officers, libraries, parks, etc. This happens too frequently to be an accident. It seems to be a standard response, to "teach" the taxpayers a lesson. I find this especially offensive when it comes shortly after the bureaucrats have voted themselves raises.

You practically never heard them say, "We've got a shortfall of funds for the next year, so we're eliminating some non-essential jobs in management".

Sue