Yup you guessed it, this is about New Yorks bravest.

Anyhow, a little bit of background info....

Hi, my name is Brian

<everyone>Hi Brian!</everyone>

I am 19, and a college drop out (yeah I know). I was a freshman dual majoring in Computer Engineering and Music Theory at SUNY Stony Brook. Right after midterms, I droped out. Not because I failed, I did rather well. I dropped out becuase I couldnt do school than, I didnt want to go in the first place but pretty much everyone said just give it a try. So I got myself a job, I make $27000 a year doing municpal tax research, my car allowance though is only $6000 a year, and it really costs me mroe like $9000 a year so I guess you could say my salary is more like $24000. Before taxes. Any other Islaners here can vouch that LI is one of the most expensive places to live. So I have a real joob, health benefits, paid vacation (although not much of it), etc etc. I can easily stay here and work up to the potential of $60000 a year (my boss makes that doing what I do with 12 years at the company and raises a family just fine on it). But I dont think I can do that. Obviously I want more money (who doesnt) and although I work 9-5's, which turn into 8-6:30's, I would like a better schedule, I know this is a lot better than most out there. But 24 hours of work followed by 3 days off? You cant beat that!

MY father used to be a volunteer (ALL fire departments on LI are) so I was raised around them up until age 8 or so. And for the past 6 yeras or so I have been at the West Sayville FD (Golden Eagles Drum and Bugle Corps) and hanging out with their racing team, NYS Champs, Flying Dutchemn. So it wont be a totally new experince for me (aside from the running into burning buildings thing, I dont do it that frequently).

Should I quit my relativly simple and do nothing but get paid to drive all day long job and go bust my ass (I'd be making $29500 a year)? I figure if I do, I will put in a few years there, and than move on to something else, and be a volunteer at my local fire department.

NYC, well Queens anyway, is 10 minutes from my house, and I would prefer to be in a station that is in Kings or Queens, but I could deal with going to teh Bronx or even into Manahtten.

As for physical requirements, I could probably do it I think, I am not ripped and stuff, but I am deifntly not fat and do have muscle, although you cant really see it on me (wish I coudl though, that would be nuie).

Yes I have thought about the danger of the job and such, but I can deal with that. (I was almost a Marine, but I decided I was gonna wait, and they are more likly to die than a fireman, I think)

So what do you think?

Originally posted by Acronym BOY
Should I quit my relativly simple and do nothing but get paid to drive all day long job and go bust my ass (I'd be making $29500 a year)? I figure if I do, I will put in a few years there, and than move on to something else, and be a volunteer at my local fire department.I think if you were to do that you'd be missing out on the real benefits of getting of the job. As you mentioned, starting pay isn't that great. The attraction of jobs in FDNY or NYPD isn't the salary you make right away or even over the first few years, it's where you end up in the long run: great retirement plans, deferred compensation, lots of vacation (which can be accrued even to accelerate retirement), etc.

Originally posted by JayC
I think if you were to do that you'd be missing out on the real benefits of getting of the job. As you mentioned, starting pay isn't that great. The attraction of jobs in FDNY or NYPD isn't the salary you make right away or even over the first few years, it's where you end up in the long run: great retirement plans, deferred compensation, lots of vacation (which can be accrued even to accelerate retirement), etc.

This salary would actually be a small raise from my current position. I know it wouldnt be what I could be making had I stayeed in school, but I am already enrolled part time for the next spring semster. I am going back, its just an issue of how do I support myself until than.

Yes I do see your point about gov't joobs having great health benefits, pensions (dad is 43 and just retired with a full pension making 1.5 times as much as I make a year, for doing nothing).

According to the FDNY website, I have the potential to make up to $60000 a year over the next 10 years due to raises and the like, which is defintly a good thang as supporting a family on under $30000 is flat out impossible in this area.

Im still looking at other options though, thanks for your input.