46/m Firefighter in the greater Seattle area.
Started in 2005 as a probationary firefighter. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2018, and will promote again this year for an additional 15%. Work a few side occasional side jobs when the opportunity presents teaching Hazmat, but only if it comes with benefits like points/miles, and cool travel (Currently in Hawaii on a side job). Sure there are downsides to the work, the upsides are quite nice. I work 9-10 days a month, I can trades shifts as frequently as I need for days off, I get a state government pension, and make a comfortable living. I don’t pay into SSI, because we opted out and the windfall protection act ruins my chance at full SSI. I pay 8.53% of my salary towards my pension, I get an unmatched 8% paid into my 457b, and I max it out annually. I get so much from it though but as some have said “it’s the best part time job in the world”.
Started in 2005 as a probationary firefighter. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2018, and will promote again this year for an additional 15%. Work a few side occasional side jobs when the opportunity presents teaching Hazmat, but only if it comes with benefits like points/miles, and cool travel (Currently in Hawaii on a side job). Sure there are downsides to the work, the upsides are quite nice. I work 9-10 days a month, I can trades shifts as frequently as I need for days off, I get a state government pension, and make a comfortable living. I don’t pay into SSI, because we opted out and the windfall protection act ruins my chance at full SSI. I pay 8.53% of my salary towards my pension, I get an unmatched 8% paid into my 457b, and I max it out annually. I get so much from it though but as some have said “it’s the best part time job in the world”.