What you are missing about the Ladder Truck to an EMS call is this:  The city, by sending a Ladder Truck, staffed with Firefighter/Paramedics (and all of ESF is duel-roll FF's/EMT's )  to an EMS call, is in fact getting a tremendous value and stretching their fire departments budgeted assets.   You MUST have a Ladder Truck in a city such as Eugene.  If your 5th floor apartment was on fire I guarantee you, you’d appreciate seeing a Ladder rising to rescue you and your loved ones.  By ALSO sending this Truck on EMS calls, the City is gaining additional value out of an already ABSOLUTELY necessary resource, and getting Paramedics to you faster.   Sure, Fires do not occur as often as EMS calls, but they do happen, and I for one am grateful for the fire service we do have.  EMS training exceeds Fire Training.  Also, Eugene-Springfield Fire is actually understaffed compared to the national standard for Firefighters per capital, not to mention the Police who are ridiculously understaffed.