I am currently a volunteer firefighter and I can tell you that there is a strong self-interest in being a firefighter. The primary of which is that you are respected by your peers and by society. Being known as a firefighter is like having an “I’m brave” card to play in almost any relationship. I was once in a bar with my wife and a female friend of hers from college, my wife told her I was a firefighter and the friend gave me a piercing look and said, “That’s hot.” Believe me I don’t get that sort of reaction without the “I’m Brave” card.
There is a level of altruism involved as well. With all things, the luster of being a firefighter fades. With my wife the luster lasted from the time I got my first uniform shirt to the first time I got out of bed at 3AM to fight a fire. Also, your self image is called into question the 19th time you have a run to ol’ Mrs. Smith’s house because she can’t get off the toilet (believe me it happens all the time).
There are a lot of people who get into firefighting out of self interest. It is an exciting job, it is well respected, the pay is pretty good for the level of training required. A large number of these self interested firefighters stay in till the luster wears off. A year or two and they have gone on to some easier, less stressful job. The true altruism is in sticking with the commitment you have made.
