• TheJims@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Let me start by saying the big city departments are 100% paid jobs. They have the money and the call volume to justify it. Rural departments and smaller cities don’t. It’s up to the local government ultimately. My rural fire department is staffed by one paid firefighter 24/7. The rest of us train and run calls when and if we’re available. Rural departments are the 70%

      • Reliant1087@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        That makes a little more sense but it’s mind boggling to me as an outsider that that there richest country in the world with multi million or even billion dollar planes and ships cannot pay to keep volunteer firefighters.

        Do you get paid when you run calls?

        Sounds like you’re a great person for doing something for your community despite having no compensation :)