What is really obvious is how many people apply when a job opening for a firefighter becomes available. When there are 3-500 applicants per position, we are simply paying too much for a job that is no longer nearly as hazardous as it once was.
Not as busy either. The vast majority of fire departments are far from being run ragged. One big northern city I used to visit a lot....... Outside one downtown fire department I always saw half the personal vehicles parked there were trucks obviously used for contractor services with ladder racks, large toolboxes and otherwise looking construction related. Meaning the firemen are rested up enough after a 48 hour shift to go out and work a second job mostly off the books. (no taxes)
I can imagine these contracting jobs involve taking care of problems uncovered during a fire safety inspection. And you know that by hiring a city firefighter+ his crew to repair your problem you will be assured of passing the follow-up inspection
The 2001-911 attacks have insulated police and fireman for years from any criticism of them robbing the taxpayers. 250 fireman were killed in one day there. All of a sudden police and fireman were elevated to being essential for public safety against Muslim terrorism and it became harder to resist their outrageous salary/bennies/pension demands