Originally Posted by GauleyPilot
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.
I
Still though they are receiving something of equal or greater value (experience) and they don't have to pay for four years of college and flight training to do it. Ask them to spend the time in school and perhaps 100K in total education and training expenses and you would have a different response.
SkyHigh