Shall I cue up the sad violin music ?  Station number one---isn't that the one that has a movie theater inside ,  complete with lazy boy chairs for all ?   You forgot to mention in describing  how your poor brother is worked so hard he can't spend quality time with his son---that he is also off days at a time .  Days off with his son every week is something most workers don't get . He chose this lifestyle , so if it's so horrible , why would he accept it ?  After all , many work years to get this type job with its hours and benefits. Why would they line up for it if the work is so hard and the pay so poor ?  Then to your example of the 600 lb. man---how many 600 lb. people are there in Anchorage ? Certainly it's not something done every day.  It's a shame your willing to exaggerate how hard his job is . There is zero doubt we can keep our community safe with fewer fire fighters . Give them good pay , just have fewer .  Don't lay any off---just don't hire replacements when they retire.