As far as didactic content necessary to do both fire and EMS, I'd argue that a BSN, RRT, or a PA are responsible for more than that. How about a doctor? If it's supposedly so difficult to command the knowledge for both EMS and firefighting, how could it be possible that anyone could get through medical school?
Because the amount of knowledge required to be a Paramedic in the US is paltry and bare bones compared to the rest of the world.
A thousand hours (or less) of "skills orientated training" by PowerPoint slide, "everybody goes to the hospital" and "contact medical control" does not compare.
This does not ensure a "commanded" of that knowledge.
It's not as difficult to do both fire and EMS, or police and EMS, as you would like to believe.
Then why does no other nation outside the US have "fire based EMS", why does the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services (Melbourne, Australia) and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union openly state they want no part of the EMS game because it is not in the interest of the profession?
Why is it we require a three year Degree for our Paramedics as well as a Post Graduate qualification in Speciality Practice for Intensive Care Paramedic and do other nations require equivalent education if its so easy to be a Paramedic, or a Paramedic and a Firefighter?