RE: Firefighters underpaid

[Katina]

just watched Ladder 49 with Joachim Phoenix & John Travolta. Yes, it's a tear jerker and yes, it's cliche' but my cousin is a now retired firefighter who rose through the ranks to captain. He was a scuba rescue diver and he was one of the firefighters who would go into the buildings to pull people out. That's how he blew out his knees....the floor gave out on him.
Anyway, Joachim was great. I don't understand how these guys & gals do this job. I come from a family of cops & fireman...and I could never marry one, nor would I want either of my kids to be one...it's just too damn scary for me...but god, these are either the bravest or craziest people in the world...or maybe they are both brave AND crazy.