Pros
Every citizen you encounter apreciates you. Strong Fire Dept Tradition. You gain a second family. 24 hours on shift and 48 hours off gives you plenty of time to have a second job. When you finally get the fire you have been waiting on it is the best job in the world. Saving people does'nt feel half bad either. If you are a paramedic, the pay is awesome.
Kontras
Pay is terrible for regular joe firefighters. The city has to approve any pay raise. "Downtown" (The three or four chiefs who make all the descisions) has forgotten that they used to ride a fire truck. 98% of calls will be medical, with the others being false alarms and wrecks; then mabey, if you are lucky, a good "snot slinger" every once in a while. The "brotherhood" fire departments are known for is giving way to individualism and self serving attitudes.