We had this HUGE discussion in school about firefighting, and the first words my friend (he's from another country) said about Firefighters is that they put out fires and rescue animals from high places.
Has your company gone to rescue a cat, or maybe even a dog, from a high point?
Never saw a skeleton of a cat in a tree but I have seen pissed off taxpayers screw the FD at a council meeting. At least the duty battalion goes to every public service assignment and talks to the caller. Sometimes we can help, sometimes we can't but the caller always knows we care. Keep telling your taxpayers you are too busy to help and then let them see you lounging in front of the station, washing your car or playing b ball out back. See how much support ya get.