A few decades ago, firefighters rarely performed any paramedic duties, according to Ken Willette, head of public fire protection at the National Fire Protection Association.
But beginning in the 1980s, the job of civilian on-scene emergency care began falling to firefighters. Now fire departments are the country's biggest providers of pre-hospital care, said Willette.
Of course, that all takes more training. Willette said firefighters are expected to have at least an associate's degree now, and most obtain a bachelor's shortly after joining the department.
Firefighters have also taken on expanded duties since Sept. 11, playing key roles as emergency responders during floods, chemical spills or terrorist attacks.
