Most here are paranoid, as they are only used to dealing with police and it's not usually in a friendly manner . . . whether it is being stopped for speeding or getting a LTC.
Firefighters are a different breed altogether. Their "thing" is in saving lives, not making them miserable. Also, most firefighters have various "hands on skills" (carpentry, painting, building, electrical, etc.) and used to have these as side jobs. My fire chief told me that since all of his men/women are EMTs or Paramedics, these days they work their off-time in the medical field instead.
So when you approach them for the permit, they don't get all bent out of shape over it with 100 questions of why you want it, and they certainly don't talk with the police about it either. What you will find is that a number of them are likely gun owners themselves and may talk your ear off about shooting, reloading, etc.