Important things to know that the public doesnt typically know/think about is the fire service has been gutted during this time. Most communities looked at 50%+ cuts in staffing from the 80's to now.

While actual fires are more rare, modern construction and materials found in homes now burn hotter and off gas more dangerously than the past. When we have a fire in my community we have 10 people on to respond to it. Had it been in the 80's the same fire would of had at a minimum the NFPA 1710 minimum initial staffing of 15 personal to a fire. I believe the staffing of my city was ~24 people during the early 80's.

Call volumes are also through the roof. Fire departments now respond to medical aids, something that was just on the horizon in the 80's. Some departments also provide ALS (paramedic) services.

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Fire-statistics/The-fire-service/Fire-department-calls/Fire-department-calls

Call volumes have tripled, manning is cut in half. It's not a good situation.