Firefighters Work Hard for All of Us
* I would like to applaud Richard Hull for supporting Orange County Fire Authority firefighters who work very hard on our behalf fighting fires and providing life-saving paramedic services (Letters, Oct. 26).
These firefighters are always there when we need them and are selfless givers. When I dialed 911, OCFA firefighters and paramedics were there within five minutes to help me. Who else in this world can you call and get help in less than five minutes?
Tom Steele of Anaheim wrote to criticize firefighters based on a gross misunderstanding of their jobs (Letters, Oct. 26).
Steele minimizes firefighters’ job dangers and work schedule by comparing them to gas station attendants and store clerks! Independent surveys have proven that firefighters have one of the most dangerous and stressful occupations in the nation.
Steele also claims firefighters work 24 hours per week, when they are actually scheduled to work an average of 56 hours weekly.
Firefighters staff their station in 24-hour shifts, covering nights, weekends and holidays. That is a sacrifice that few of us have to make.
And because the OCFA is minimally staffed, firefighters are often required to work extra shifts in place of others who are sick or injured, resulting in even more days spent away from their families.
LINDA ROBBERTZE
Dana Point
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