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Firefighters also risk their lives on their job and face health risks that relatively few people are willing to take on, to protect their communities.

I think it is not right at all to treat this like just another job. The social value of firefighters is unquestionably high and vital. Not sure this can be said about everybody else who takes home cozy pensions.

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In most suburban communities, firefighters' main risk is obesity from sitting around the fire station eating all day. In my town of 80K people there are an average of 2-3 structure fires a year for the 120 strong fire department to deal with. The majority of their calls are EMS calls.

> face health risks that relatively few people are willing to take on

My perception of this (not a firefighter, just have a few friends that are), is that you need to know someone, usually close family, to even have a shot at getting in. Have had other friends give up after years pursuing fire jobs, because it is difficult to break into. Those who made it in had parents in the FD.

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