There are volunteer firefighters and auxillary police officers, so yes, some people would do it for free.

EMTs where I live do not make very much money, and fair little better when they become a paramedic. They work like 24 hour or longer shifts where they sleep at the office. (They are not members of any firefighter's union, they work for a private company). Yet, many people have been there for years because it is a lifestyle. I know several police officers, and it is certainly a lifestyle for them because they live and breathe police work. Even though they could get shot on a minor traffic stop--they remain on their job.

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