The people that keep us safe and protect our homelamd

[lostnfound]

These guys don’t even get a ‘thank you for your service’. They don’t get recognized at annual baseball games while the national anthem is played. They probably don’t get a discount or reserved parking space.

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/16/1213184246/a-massive-pay-cut-for-federal-wildland-firefighters-may-be-averted-but-not-for-l?ft=nprml&f=1167

A massive pay cut for federal wildland firefighters may be averted. But not for long.
…
Rookie federal firefighters on the front lines of America's wildfire crisis only make about $15 hour, up from $13 an hour after President Biden approved a temporary pay bump in 2021. Funds from the infrastructure law later went on to give many federal firefighters a $20,000 boost to their salaries — a typical base salary for a year round entry level firefighter is only $34,000.
….
"It's kind of a slap in the face," Dillon says. "The folks on Capitol Hill, some of them aren't even aware of who we are and what we do and that there is a federal wildland firefighting workforce."

There are an estimated 17,000 federal wildland firefighters. Most are like Mike Alba and work for the U.S. Forest Service. Alba says crews are burdened by increasingly hazardous and dangerous work, flattening overtime pay and growing mental health challenges.

[pwb]

1. So what is your solution?

Take that recognition away from Veterans? A sign at Home Depot for Park Rangers parking only?

[dickthegrouch]

3. We could pay about 7 firefighters

For every do-nothing repuke congresscritter for starters.

[lostnfound]

6. They should be paid FAR more for such dangerous, difficult work

Yet another occupation that has deteriorated over the years.
Like EMTs.

[Sal_NV]

2. These people work, more or less, in the shadows of protecting our country who probably

don't want the recognition due to the former president's constant threats.

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. In both cafes where I have worked, ALL firefighters get a discount.

As well as police, military, and rescue. But, I know that we were in the minority when it came to that.

[Elessar Zappa]

5. Firefighters definitely deserve better pay.