Cops or Firefighters, who earns their pay of the two

[Garvey]

Most paid FFs are EMRs, EMTs or Paramedics as well. It's not 1992 Backdraft at most small city fire houses anymore. Maybe in the Chicagos, Bostons and New Yorks of the world. But not in your average municipality large enough to have a full time FD but too small to not care what we do on a daily basis.

9/11 changed things substantially as well. Terrorism response, HAZMAT and now Active Shooter response have become priorities as well.

Just a brief list of what my department does

Fire response
EMR
High Angle Rescue
Low Angle Rescue
Confined Space Rescue
Trench Collapse Rescue
Building Collapse Rescue
Swift Water Rescue
Open Water Rescue
Ice Rescue
Open Water Dive Rescue
Ice Dive Rescue
Active Shooter Response
Public Education
Fire Investigation

We aren't a large city so we don't have dedicated stations or rigs for each discipline. Everyone is expected to know them all so that they are at least able to assist the SMEs.

We're also starting to explore a program for our medics to provide support to the local SWAT team.

I feel no shame in what I earn for pay.

We do the same, EVERYTHING. That is a whole lot of schooling, a whole lot of equipment to maintain, and know how to use, and a whole lot of types of emergency calls to be responsible for mitigating. 80%, or more, of our call volume is EMS. We run two Paramedics on an M.I.C.U. a minimum of two Paramedics on an Engine of 4.

6 stations, 6 engines (3 of them quints) 5 Ambulances, 1 Truck, unstaffed Heavy Rescue. We broke 12,000 calls last year. Some days are pretty easy, some days a a kick in the nuts. And I do work my days off. Like many, by the time 10 p.m. rolls around on my first day off, I have looked back and realized in 40 hours straight, I've had 2 hours of sleep. But hey, I signed up for it, and it's too late to do something different.

Yall should get FD Medics being SWAT Medics. One thing for sure, it is a great way to strengthen the relationship between PD and FD.

I too feel no shame in what I earn for pay.
Another great quote, I first heard from a Miami Dade FD Lieutenant.

"There is no 9-1-2, only 9-1-1, there is no one else to call."

 

[GONE BAD]

Who actually deserves their pay and benefits packages more...

Let's spin this: US Marines!?
US Army!?

I won't divide the FF's and the COP's!

 

[Niles Coyote]

Who actually deserves their pay and benefits packages more...

The forgotten few, Dispatchers

 

[padronanniversary]

as a volunteer FF myself, I can tell you I get a whole $4 per call. Outside the twin cities in MN across the Democratic county in a smaller suburb. We have to deal with not only fires, extrication, but the old people who abuse the system waking up at 2am because they are constipated or want a taxi ride to the hospital and can get a ambulance ride free by calling 911. then being licensed as a FF just like any full timer and taking all the classes on our own time, maintenance, and all the other support activities to make sure that we can respond to real emergencies and fires.


I can say going into a fire is worth it alone without the $4.


Plus we get to break stuff j/k

 

[padronanniversary]

and of course entertainment like the lady here in the video above make it all worth it....like leo or any other profession, people don’t realize staging, running a hdl or drop tank to hydrant, laying hose, etc all takes time, not to mention cleaning hoses and gear, getting gear back in service right after the call, all during Thanksgiving dinner with the family.

any and all professions that serve the community or country earns my respect (minus the swamp in capitals).

 

[308220]

We need to ask the question, which line of work is most important to the public/country? Is it firefighters or police? Or neither? I can think of more important lines of work, that the country absolutely cannot operate on without. Oilfield and loggers for example. Take away those 2 professions, and it will effect everybody immediately. If cops quit patrolling, I wouldnt care. Neither would millions of others. We have guns. We'll be ok. And we'd have more money as a society without road pirates. If paid firefighters quit taking calls, volunteers would pick up the slack. Plenty of people wanting to volunteer. Not a HUGE deal. And private businesses can hire their own security personel. These 2 professions are expendable in a budget cut scenario.

Those 2 (oilfield/logging) lines of work are far more dangerous than firefighters/cops. And most of the time, rig hands and loggers get paid FAR less. The average rig hand here (Ohio) makes $25k-$30k/yr take home, working full time. A little higher ($35k-$45k/yr) other places. And at any time they can have a joint of pipe take their head off. Lose fingers. Hands. Break legs and arms. Or die. Ive seen it happen. You wont find a seasoned oilfield worker that hasnt broke bones, lost fingers or limbs, or been seriously injured.

I dont know the exact number, but a LOT of rig hands and loggers die every year. Im willing to guess more than firefighters/police combined. You dont really see them complaining about working long, HARD hours. Many of them away from their families and not sleeping in their own bed for weeks/months at a time. Or them posting online, patting themselves on the back about how much theyre sacrificing in order to make a living. Why? Because that is what they signed up for. I dont have any patience for pity parties.

"Woe is me. I work harder than you. Cant make it on my salary. Im serving the public. I can die." Blah blah blah. Find another profession. If youre bitching, youre still alive. Good job.

So if we're going to discuss risk/importance to pay ratio, lets discuss it. Also, the military branches should get a $5k/yr+ increase easily. The basic infantry should make $30k/yr. Why should a firefighter make $80k/yr (no offense buddy) when a soldier is on the front line getting bullets whizzed by his head for $25k/yr? Makes a lot of sense huh?

Just real talk. If I hurt anybodys feelings, that is not my intention. Just calling it how I see it.

Btw, GOOD doctors and nurses are far more important than any police officer. And it wasnt just Obama that started the "war on police". LE brought it on themselves. The public (no matter race) has stomached bullshit police tactics longer than they should have. And its just now coming to light. You can only put your boot on somebodys face so many times for minor offenses, before they say fuck it and fight back. Nobody questions police tactics when it comes to violent people. Rapists/murders etc etc. But how many times have we seen minor traffic stops turn into people being tased, beat up, and even shot. Simply because the cops escalated the situation? If you WANT a problem, call the cops. If you want to settle it like men, handle it yourself and go your own ways afterward. If you get your ass kicked, leave it at that. If you win, good. But be a fucking man. Ill always have respect for somebody who handles their own business. Win or lose. Leave the popo out of it.


If your house is on fire, go ahead and call 911.

 

[Mormegil87]

@308220 you do know there is a huge volunteer fire fighter shortage in the nation right? To the point the USFA is running adds hoping to increase recruitment.

 

[Rob01]

He doesn't care. He doesn't need any of us anyways. He can do everything himself. LOL

https://www.wral.com/north-carolina...OPqKhwYZxu0XseK6s-mMWnlVMR2OgHhV6R5bAKdbqmOv8

 

[jb0311]

Firefighters if we are talking wildland shot crews. 16 (at least) hour days, 2 weeks straight plus travel, two days off, back at it the next day. Spent my days hiking up a mountain, breathing in moon dust, eating smoke, and digging in dirt with a pack on and a tool that had a handle that was about a foot too short, while i had snot running out of my nose. Pay was shit, benefits did not exist, and I had to make enough during the fire season to last me all year. I think my last season I made $36k in 6 months work making $14 an hour. I was a Marine grunt and this job was shittier, other than living conditions and the whole not getting shot at part. I miss the Marines but I sure as shit don't miss fire. And then there was always the fucks that wanted to bitch at us because someone in charge thought lives were more important than saving some trees. Flipping us off after coming back to camp from a 20+ hour shift. Now everything I just said doesn't apply to CalFire. From what I hear, they actually have it pretty good, in comparison.

That being said, I wouldn't be a cop for any amount of money or benefits these days. At least on a deployment no one shit their pants when I needed to choke slam a local for being stupid.

 

[oneshot86]

We do the same, EVERYTHING. That is a whole lot of schooling, a whole lot of equipment to maintain, and know how to use, and a whole lot of types of emergency calls to be responsible for mitigating. 80%, or more, of our call volume is EMS. We run two Paramedics on an M.I.C.U. a minimum of two Paramedics on an Engine of 4.

6 stations, 6 engines (3 of them quints) 5 Ambulances, 1 Truck, unstaffed Heavy Rescue. We broke 12,000 calls last year. Some days are pretty easy, some days a a kick in the nuts. And I do work my days off. Like many, by the time 10 p.m. rolls around on my first day off, I have looked back and realized in 40 hours straight, I've had 2 hours of sleep. But hey, I signed up for it, and it's too late to do something different.

Yall should get FD Medics being SWAT Medics. One thing for sure, it is a great way to strengthen the relationship between PD and FD.

I too feel no shame in what I earn for pay.
Another great quote, I first heard from a Miami Dade FD Lieutenant.

"There is no 9-1-2, only 9-1-1, there is no one else to call."

you should be proud

 

[Tree]

Neither only Paramedics earn their pay.

 

[oneshot86]

We need to ask the question, which line of work is most important to the public/country? Is it firefighters or police? Or neither? I can think of more important lines of work, that the country absolutely cannot operate on without. Oilfield and loggers for example. Take away those 2 professions, and it will effect everybody immediately. If cops quit patrolling, I wouldnt care. Neither would millions of others. We have guns. We'll be ok. And we'd have more money as a society without road pirates. If paid firefighters quit taking calls, volunteers would pick up the slack. Plenty of people wanting to volunteer. Not a HUGE deal. And private businesses can hire their own security personel. These 2 professions are expendable in a budget cut scenario.

Those 2 (oilfield/logging) lines of work are far more dangerous than firefighters/cops. And most of the time, rig hands and loggers get paid FAR less. The average rig hand here (Ohio) makes $25k-$30k/yr take home, working full time. A little higher ($35k-$45k/yr) other places. And at any time they can have a joint of pipe take their head off. Lose fingers. Hands. Break legs and arms. Or die. Ive seen it happen. You wont find a seasoned oilfield worker that hasnt broke bones, lost fingers or limbs, or been seriously injured.

I dont know the exact number, but a LOT of rig hands and loggers die every year. Im willing to guess more than firefighters/police combined. You dont really see them complaining about working long, HARD hours. Many of them away from their families and not sleeping in their own bed for weeks/months at a time. Or them posting online, patting themselves on the back about how much theyre sacrificing in order to make a living. Why? Because that is what they signed up for. I dont have any patience for pity parties.

"Woe is me. I work harder than you. Cant make it on my salary. Im serving the public. I can die." Blah blah blah. Find another profession. If youre bitching, youre still alive. Good job.

So if we're going to discuss risk/importance to pay ratio, lets discuss it. Also, the military branches should get a $5k/yr+ increase easily. The basic infantry should make $30k/yr. Why should a firefighter make $80k/yr (no offense buddy) when a soldier is on the front line getting bullets whizzed by his head for $25k/yr? Makes a lot of sense huh?

Just real talk. If I hurt anybodys feelings, that is not my intention. Just calling it how I see it.

Btw, GOOD doctors and nurses are far more important than any police officer. And it wasnt just Obama that started the "war on police". LE brought it on themselves. The public (no matter race) has stomached bullshit police tactics longer than they should have. And its just now coming to light. You can only put your boot on somebodys face so many times for minor offenses, before they say fuck it and fight back. Nobody questions police tactics when it comes to violent people. Rapists/murders etc etc. But how many times have we seen minor traffic stops turn into people being tased, beat up, and even shot. Simply because the cops escalated the situation? If you WANT a problem, call the cops. If you want to settle it like men, handle it yourself and go your own ways afterward. If you get your ass kicked, leave it at that. If you win, good. But be a fucking man. Ill always have respect for somebody who handles their own business. Win or lose. Leave the popo out of it.


If your house is on fire, go ahead and call 911.

no way dude, no wayyyyy...
thankyou very much cops and fireman, thankyou very much.
i know around here, servive is 4 min.
pinellas county? 2. something min
keep on rockin

 

[Ric O'shay]

Will there be a calender?

 

[Garvey]

We need to ask the question, which line of work is most important to the public/country? Is it firefighters or police? Or neither? I can think of more important lines of work, that the country absolutely cannot operate on without. Oilfield and loggers for example. Take away those 2 professions, and it will effect everybody immediately. If cops quit patrolling, I wouldnt care. Neither would millions of others. We have guns. We'll be ok. And we'd have more money as a society without road pirates. If paid firefighters quit taking calls, volunteers would pick up the slack. Plenty of people wanting to volunteer. Not a HUGE deal. And private businesses can hire their own security personel. These 2 professions are expendable in a budget cut scenario.

Those 2 (oilfield/logging) lines of work are far more dangerous than firefighters/cops. And most of the time, rig hands and loggers get paid FAR less. The average rig hand here (Ohio) makes $25k-$30k/yr take home, working full time. A little higher ($35k-$45k/yr) other places. And at any time they can have a joint of pipe take their head off. Lose fingers. Hands. Break legs and arms. Or die. Ive seen it happen. You wont find a seasoned oilfield worker that hasnt broke bones, lost fingers or limbs, or been seriously injured.

I dont know the exact number, but a LOT of rig hands and loggers die every year. Im willing to guess more than firefighters/police combined. You dont really see them complaining about working long, HARD hours. Many of them away from their families and not sleeping in their own bed for weeks/months at a time. Or them posting online, patting themselves on the back about how much theyre sacrificing in order to make a living. Why? Because that is what they signed up for. I dont have any patience for pity parties.

"Woe is me. I work harder than you. Cant make it on my salary. Im serving the public. I can die." Blah blah blah. Find another profession. If youre bitching, youre still alive. Good job.

So if we're going to discuss risk/importance to pay ratio, lets discuss it. Also, the military branches should get a $5k/yr+ increase easily. The basic infantry should make $30k/yr. Why should a firefighter make $80k/yr (no offense buddy) when a soldier is on the front line getting bullets whizzed by his head for $25k/yr? Makes a lot of sense huh?

Just real talk. If I hurt anybodys feelings, that is not my intention. Just calling it how I see it.

Btw, GOOD doctors and nurses are far more important than any police officer. And it wasnt just Obama that started the "war on police". LE brought it on themselves. The public (no matter race) has stomached bullshit police tactics longer than they should have. And its just now coming to light. You can only put your boot on somebodys face so many times for minor offenses, before they say fuck it and fight back. Nobody questions police tactics when it comes to violent people. Rapists/murders etc etc. But how many times have we seen minor traffic stops turn into people being tased, beat up, and even shot. Simply because the cops escalated the situation? If you WANT a problem, call the cops. If you want to settle it like men, handle it yourself and go your own ways afterward. If you get your ass kicked, leave it at that. If you win, good. But be a fucking man. Ill always have respect for somebody who handles their own business. Win or lose. Leave the popo out of it.


If your house is on fire, go ahead and call 911.

I am only going to respond to the Fire department side, since that is my lane.

I also was on the volunteer FD, where I live for 11 years. How in the hell do you expect someone to go to a full blown Fire Academy for months, at zero pay? (There's way more to it than spraying water) How the hell do you expect for someone to go to EMT-Basic for months for zero pay? How the hell do you expect someone to go to EMT-Paramedic for many more months for zero pay? They can't, they won't. So you end up with less educated people sometimes answering calls, sometimes not. Their hearts are in the right place, but they have to make a living as an accountant, and I.T. professional, a remodel contractor, ect. Guess where they are 0700 to 1800? They are at work, making a living. I have answered many a 9-1-1 call, on a fire engine, by myself. Response times can get to 20 minutes after call take. Career FD, you have minimum manning. Volunteer, most do not. I have also seen us get a call on the Volunteer FD, and no one answered. Dispatch had to send a neighboring department. Where I am employed, you will see engine and ambulance arriving, with trained professionals in less than 4 minutes.

You do get what you pay for!

I am not bashing volunteer Firemen, I've answered thousands of calls with them, and was a volunteer myself. They just can't get the same education, nor can they dedicate the time to BE AT THE STATION READY TO LEAVE.

I am also not wishing this on you. But maybe one day you will see someone having a heart attack, and the FD arrives quickly and literally saves their life. Maybe one day you will see someone's house on fire and the FD arrives quickly, kicks in the door, and saves their house. Then maybe you will understand. Many people don't get it, and never will until it is them on the other end needing qualified help.