It depends on the location. Some firefighters are volunteers; bless them. Where I live, being a firefighter is a sure ticket to becoming a millionaire and most of them are jerks. And as far as risk goes, firefighter isn't in the top ten. The high pay has everything to do with politics and unions. I see them in the grocery all the time, but have never seen them leave the grocery to go on a call.
I’ve watched over the years as they looted the city coffers and as a union, are part of the police, teachers, city workers, and gay community to control big city politics.
Now some of them live in the houses on the coast line.
They are the government, and they are unionized against us, and candidates have to get through them.
Where do you like that “being a firefighter is a sure ticket to becoming a millionaire?” I’ve only known a few professional firefighters in my life, none of whom is wealthy. They live nice, middle-class lives after they’ve been on the job for several years and, as noted above, because of the work schedule, can take on a 2nd job to help achieve that nice lifestyle. Also those I’ve known are married to women who work, not a sign of the millionaire lifestyle.
Interestingly, earlier today I was speaking with a retired NYPD officer about pension funds, etc. He said NYPD’s pension fund is pretty solid vs. FDNY that’s been broken for decades. Like half a century worth of decades.
That's not a job I'd want no matter how much I got paid........