Replies

Fireman is not a dangerous job, so why are so many of the posts here depending on that non-existent emotional hook, for one of the most sought after jobs in America?

Yes I've run into burning buildings, don't you realize that many, if not most guys love that stuff, firemen have about the best job around, and that is why there is so much competition for the job, too bad that since the government can unionize against us now, they have become overpaid and too powerful in running our cities.

WORKPLACE DEATHS NATIONALLY (Average 3.5)

Over the past 35 years, the number of fires in the United States has fallen by more than 40% while the number of career firefighters has increased by more than 40%

he decline of demand has created a problem for firefighters. What Fred McChesney wrote some 10 years ago is even more true today:

Taxpayers are unlikely to support budget increases for fire departments if they see firemen lolling about the firehouse. So cities have created new, highly visible jobs for their firemen. The Wall Street Journal reported recently, “In Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, for example, 90% of the emergency calls to firehouses are to accompany ambulances to the scene of auto accidents and other medical emergencies. Elsewhere, to keep their employees busy, fire departments have expanded into neighborhood beautification, gang intervention, substitute-teaching and other downtime pursuits.” In the Illinois township where I live, the fire department drives its trucks to accompany all medical emergency vehicles, then directs traffic around the ambulance—a task which, however valuable, seemingly does not require a hook-and-ladder.
Here’s some data. Note that medical calls dwarf fire calls. Twenty five years ago false alarms were half the number of fires, today false alarms significantly exceed the number of fires.

According to Nightline it costs $3,500 every time a fire truck pulls out of a fire station in Washington, DC (25 calls in a 24 hour shift is not uncommon so this adds up quickly). Moreover, most of the time the call is not for a fire but for a minor medical problem. In many cities, both fire trucks and ambulances respond to the same calls. The paramedics do a great job but it is hard to believe that this is an efficient way to deliver medical care and transportation.

The paramedics do a great job but it is hard to believe that this is an efficient way to deliver medical care and transportation.

In our district, paramedics don't often have the strength to deal with patients in their various positions--trapped in vehicles, on floors, etc. Firemen are called to those same calls because

A high percentage of firefighters are also paramedics.
Firefighters get to the scene quicker due to the larger number of calls for ambulances
Firefighters have some equipment for getting to the patient (in a locked house, etc) that ambulances do not have.

There are probably more reasons, but those are the ones I can come up with off the top of my head.

I was at my Oncologist for my Chemo Treatment a couple of weeks ago. There was a Patient there, an older Woman, who lost her balance walking to the Bathroom and ended up on her Butt.

No damage, just a little upset. My Doctor decided that it would best if she went to the ER just in case, thinking she needed some IV hydration.

He had his Staff call 911 for an Ambulance to transport her the 1/2 Mile to the Hospital, just an Ambulance. As I was leaving the Office ten minutes later, One Ambulance and Two Fire Trucks pulled in to the Parking Lot, Sirens blazing.

I counted at least eight Firemen and two Ambulance EMT’s.

My “Career” was Logistics Management, and this kind of wasted use of Resources drives me crazy. But then, it’s close enough for Government Work.

Not bashing Firefighters, just the lack of Resource Planning that we all have seen. Works for the Police as well. They chase a guy in an old Chevy Pickup down the Freeway and there are a dozen Police Cars right behind him. Absolutely nonsensical.