Yes, but Fire1 can only hit one enemy, whereas HARM will hit all enemies, and it's a level 1 spell.

I don't think the AFIR and all them are useless. There's one that protects against all magic. Because of FF1's unusual damage formula, I can't say for sure, but it seems that AFIR actually lessens the damage done by Warmech's Nuclear.

I always use AFIR when I fight Kary, and so on. They really do make a difference. Typically, there's nothing else I can have my White Wizard do anyway. I may as well use AFIR. I'll sometimes have her (looks like a girl to me) use an item like Heal Helmet or Mage Staff.