to think we don't respect fire people enough

[Margaretinbloom]

Listening some of the comments on lbc now, people don't seem to respect fire people and the job they do. They want to erode the pensions that they get when the reason they get an alright pension is because it is a risky job that not many want to do. Seems crazy to have them working until 60, I wouldn't want a 60 year old up a ladder trying to rescue me

it's crap to impose fitness expectations that don't change with age - I am fit but I can't do things I could do 20 years ago - and then to tie that into employment - the right to retire early and your pension

utterly shit for Police and fire fighters unless they are prepared to offer alternative desk bound or admin roles at the same pay

Prettyfeet - on call Doctors sleep on the job - ditto on call IT techs and other on call roles

Doctors work far longer shifts. Fire fighters don't.
They are very pandered to unnecessarily. I know what goes on.

They have the cushiest of cushy jobs (my brother is one).

He works 2 days, 2 nights (which he mostly sleeps) and then four days off, for a very reasonable salary and benefits package.

Of course other employers allow 2nd jobs, but they don't allow quite so much time for them. My brother actually describes himself as a SAHD, despite the fact that he works "full-time"

It's admirable, running into burning buildingsd etc but anyone who spends a lot of time driving for their work, is actually in a far more dangerous job.

What does a fully trained fire fighter earn?

I’m coming to this as the daughter of a firefighter (my DM was also in the FB before she married) so I know that I’m biased... But this statement, written by a firefighter, seems to sum up my feelings on the matter:

Am I worth £30,000? In my career I have been taught skills to save life, prolong life and to know when to walk away when there is no life left.
I have taken courses to fight fire from within, above and below. I can cut a car apart in minutes and I can educate your sons and daughters to save their own lives.
No matter what the emergency, I am part of a team that always comes when you call, I run in when all my instincts tell me to run away.
I have faced death in cars with petrol pouring over me while the engine was ticking with the heat.
I have lain on my back inside a house fire and watched the flames roar across the ceiling above me. I have climbed and I have crawled to save life and I have stood and wept while we buried a fellow firefighter.
I have been the target for yobs throwing stones and punches at me while I do my job. I have been the first to intercept a parent who knows that their son is in the car that we are cutting up and I know he is dead.
I have served my time, damaged my body and seen things that I hope you never will. I have never said, “No, I’m more important than them” and walked away.
Am I worth £30,000? Maybe your answer is “no”. But when that drunk smashes into your car or the candle burns too low or your child needs help, you will find I’m worth every last penny.

Just slightly shy of £30k, more if they have any team leader responsibilities.

www.rbfrs.co.uk/job_ff_wt_pay.html

bikket Very well said!!

Jeez it's not a lot. Just looked at the pay scales and I earn more than some of the higher ranks. My job can be cushier, I did five backshifts this week and only was only busy for one of them.

I wouldn't do their job, they earn every penny even if they do get to nap and use the gym. I don't grudge them it.

Exactly remind

Hmm. 30k a year once trained - it's 18k for a soldier in Afghanistan. Who then provides cover when a FF strikes.

See. Sorry, there goes my resentment again. I probably shouldn't comment. Apologies to any FFs out there.

Members of the police force do a far more dangerous job. It's this "hero" thing that surrounds them still. Yes, of course they are brave but boy do a lot (notice I said lot no all) of them have heads the size of hot air balloons and are known to cheat a fair bit on their partners. This is not coming from a bitter place (I wasn't cheated on to my knowledge) but 3/4 of the guys at his station were at it.

Not sure what the moral aspect has to do with their pay? And it's exactly the same in police offices up and down the country.

If any if you have been in an accident and had the firemen come and sort it out, you will know how professional they are. I respect them, I take my hat off to them (and the police too by the way).

Pensions is slightly different, we're all living longer. But they do pay a lot into them, it's not free money . If it's £4k a year, that's more than £300 a month - rather more than most of us pay.

Can I add my foreign two cents?
Firefighters on the other side of the pond earn a great deal more then police or paramedics. As in nearly double.
They have an incredibly strong union that fought and won many battles. They earned these large amounts due to the dangerous work they did.
However, the days of running into burning buildings are long gone. Smoke alarms and public awareness have helped decrease the number of structural fires. More people are rescued from floodwaters then fires here. Most firies here won't see a fire for at least two years into their career. Yes, they cut open cars but..... The paramedics are the ones actually inside the cars with little protective equipment. The paramedics and police are the ones on the front line of violence, trauma etc. firefighters are rarely assaulted, spat on, sworn at or prank called. I'm not denying it doesn't happen but I cannot recall seeing any news reports about firefighters bring assaulted on scene.
In 2012 the state firefighters did about 60000 callous. This includes smoke alarm activations, turn outs when they were not required, fires, car crashes etc. In the same year the state paramedics were called to over 300000.
I don't deny they too have a difficult and potentially dangerous job to do but take a minute to look at the other underpaid and overworked emergency service workers.

That's what comes of having too much time on their hands

Think the OP's title mentioned respect nicknack

I think she means as in respect their occupation, not their personal life?

In all the 4 years I was with my ex he probably attended 10 fires.

They're put on a pedestal and its not necessary.

I respect what firefighters do but I think they are well remunerated and don't have much sympathy for them when they strike.

There's not many full time jobs with a shift system that allows you to work a second job. They're not exactly hard done by IMO.

I don't doubt that but there is more to a firefighters duties than put out fires. Like a poster said above, preventative measures have reduced fires. Still doesn't mean they don't deserve their salary, and I still think 30k isn't excessive for what they do and what they are expected to do.

Eve, i don't think a firefighter deserves lessrespect because a solders salsry is less.. hold your grudge for the MOD not the firefighters

My dad was a FF all his working life, he put up with loads of shit and he earned every penny of his wage and his pension, yes, there are other emergency services, ir's not a competition who's the best, the op is just asking do ff deserve more respoect? yes they do.

I don't think it's excessive either but I do think it's enough.

I think they are far more respected than any other emergency service, WAY more than police and paramedics.

I believe lifeboat crew deserve more respect than firefighters - I think they do a much tougher job, for free!