Ok DU, I've been given permission by my station Captain to post on this site,

[freshwest]

27. I know better, having lived near fire stations several times. The cheap shots about sleeping on the

job while being paid don't mean anything, as most FFs I know end up at the station for several days and their sleep will be broken as they are 'on call' or 'on duty.'

As a person who worked in positions where a midnight call to rouse one out of bed to face the elements, the public, the dark, and may be get injured, knowing the restraints that makes on one's life, physically and family wise, I understand in some ways. But FF, which requires being ready and able at a high level all the time, not just occasional emergencies, is another animal altogether.

While both require keeping oneself in shape off the job, when one is not being paid. FF is a high intensity job on many levels most people can never achieve. It's very challenging physically and emotionally, and it's a profession, not a 9 to 5. It becomes one's life or one's death. I think trash talkers have not ever had that level of commitment, so they think it's an easy thing.

I currently live next to a fire station in a neighborhood with many public services. When those sirens go off, day or night for medical emergencies or fires, when people complain of the noise, I think about the fact that they are rushing down the street to save lives. The noise is not aggravating to the person who called for help, it's a relief. That's how I look at it.

I get tired of mealy mouth complainers who think their words are more important than real life actions. I do not like the Libertarian and anti-public worker spiel that call for ending funding for the fire department. When I see people saying we need to lower taxes because they say the government is doing bad things with their money, I think of you guys who are out there for me and others that I couldn't help. How much more damaged and stupid our world would be without those willing to sacrfice weekends and the holidays to help others.

Give your pals a high five from me. You guys keep the world safer for me and those I care about. We count on you, we don't take it for granted. People need to think about what you do.