ipiqmomo

Firstly I would just like to make sure nobody thinks I am trying to trash them, or overly protect firefighters in general, and I have never written to one of the forums, so I may be proceduraly off base in my approach. As to the "no educated need". I don't know about outside of Quebec, but in major cities in Quebec(Montreal, Laval, Quebec, etc) firefighters need 3 years of schooling to get hired(1 year professional diploma, 2 years college) . On top of rigorous written exams, 1 year of probation and another ("nose bleed inducing"exam, to quote a friend) after that year in some cases. Sure there are lots who apply, but the amount of people cut just at those 2 levels is big. (about 10-15% make it to the first, and then maybe 25-30% to the second) After that you aren't guaranteed a job, you have to study for entrance exams, and train full time to get in. "Firefighting isn't really dangerous." I could see your point, OK so convenience store clerks probably get shot more, but there are probably a few more clerks that firefighters aren't there? So the equation needs to be balanced. On that note, I was also a combat engineer(mine/IED clearance) in the army, I was well payed when I was in Afghanistan, I didn't complain so maybe you shouldn't either. As for the salary of the poor colonel, don't get me started. Another point, "there are no fires anymore" just the one month internship that I did while in school I went into 3 separate fires, my buddy who's a firefighter in another city had 8 fires in the last 2 months(and by the way, one of the major reasons there are less fires is because firefighters do huge amounts of fire prevention and education. Do your research, since firefighters in major cities have been doing fire prevention the amount of fatal fires has plummeted). OK it doesn't sound like much but if you would like to do three years of school, not be guaranteed a job after that, physically beat your body for years. See, carry, and try to save sick/dead/dying people without wanting to kill yourself. Drive at breakneck speeds (that may result in your broken neck) to get to someone you don't know to save their life. Oh, and lest we forget, the going into the burning buildings thing (and I believe that we established that it's not an urban myth), I invite you to call any major city, and say "I would like this job, and I would like to do it for 40k a year", I think you will be hired on the spot. By the way, most of us would do it for 40k, because it's a passion. Would you keep your job for 50% the salary? Lastly, the first aid part, yes there are not enough paramedics. Yes their salary sucks compared to ours (at least in Quebec it does, and that sucks). But do you think an ambulance is that much cheaper? Vehicle, customization, equipment, medical equipment(we know that stuff is cheap, and inexpensive to maintain/clean/certify), gas, staff, etc, etc, etc. You know why fire trucks/firefighters are so expensive, because they do everything, if a piece of equipment is needed it's there and if it isn't, then the guys in the truck will make whatever they have work. Cops do what? Stop bad guys and give me tickets. Paramedics do what? Save peoples lives in medical situations. What do firefighters do? Medical intervention, water rescue, search and rescue, confined spaces rescue, high altitude rescue, hazardous material intervention, help citizens in floods, catch their runaway animals, catch their runaway carports when they aren't weighted down properly in the fall and the wind picks up, take care of gas leaks, vehicle accident rescue, fire prevention/citizen education, building/business inspections, help get obese people out of their homes in medical emergency situations, help when the weight of snow collapses roofs, blah, blah, blah... oh yes, fight fires once and a while. Firefighters are the people you call for the "who the hell do we call for this situation people". (by the way, I know paramedics and cops do more than what I said, just making a point) I hope that this has clarified a few things. If it hasn't and you still wish to complain, next time the walls, ceiling, couch, Christmas tree is on fire and the thing in front of your face might be your hand. I invite you to get up from behind that nice safe computer and come join us.