I have two neighbors that work for LAFD. They do very well. I believe they work 9 or 10 days a month, but these are 24 hour shifts. Some of the guys do day trades and they can be off for a while. The overtime is always available and they are eligible to retire at 48 or 50. One of them use to drive a LA Fire Crown Vic home, but haven't seen it in a while. This will really boil your blood:

http://www.dailynews.com/government-...n-at-same-time

NGE

My son started working at that In N Out many years ago. You are right, there is no place to park a firetruck. To make you feel a little better, firemen do not receive a 70% discount off their orders (like cops do) from In N Out. Oh Yeah, my neighbor always gives me crap how if he worked in the private sector, he can earn double or triple of what he makes now. I always tell him, anytime he wants to trade his $125k+ plus all the benefits, just let me know. Many of them have full time businesses (also). I do have to say that many of my friends (who were firemen) and other firemen get injured on the job - often. Back injuries and lung problems are very common.