Whose arse has RFFS ever covered?
Isn't the more significant risk to the passengers that of a mid-air in the vicinity of an aerodrome in G? What help would you anticipate RFFS providing in the event of a mid air in the vicinity of an aerodrome in G, other than hosing fire retardant over the bodies?
I'm not saying it isn't nice to have an RFFS. I'm saying an RFFS isn't the most effective use of the finite risk mitigation resources to mitigate the subtstantial risks.
"Seen as a little more important". A political point, not a safety point, which is precisely my point.