Fireman pay is the biggest scam in the local budget....
It’s a government thing. An acquaintance who works for a department just bought a 60K truck. Not bad.
In my town the firemen are paid very well - and live in surrounding areas without paid firemen. At the same time, they’ll carry on about how a paid department is necessary to protect your family - while their families’ lives are guarded by “jolly vollies”.