r/Firefighting • u/Launch_Rockface • Jul 10 '25

General Discussion Unpopular Opinions In the Fire Service

I am curious what other peoples unpopular opinions of the fire service are? I know there are alot of things we are doing or trying to do to improve the fire service as far as training and wellness, but I also know alot of it is just not that great in my opinion.

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u/BrianKindly 200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress Jul 11 '25

I’m glad to hear I’m not the only person screaming this from the fucking roof tops.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“My tooth hurts and I need to go to the hospital”

We need to start asking them if their legs are also broken, they don’t have a vehicle, or anyone to call. Fuck, download uber…

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u/rogersrangers55 Jul 11 '25

We shout the system is broken (healthcare) and shout we are here to help. Yet all we are doing is greatly contributing to the broken system itself.

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u/BrianKindly 200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress Jul 11 '25

10000% - I often wonder if Medicare/Medicaid wouldn't need all these cuts if we wouldn't be dragging so much bullshit to the ER. Unnecessary ambulance bill followed by and unnecessary hospital bill, all for most things that could be handled by an primary doctor or even urgent care.

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u/Mediocre_Daikon6935 Jul 11 '25

Until primary care is held accountable for not being able to see patients, nothing will be done.

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u/Careful_Reason_9992 Jul 11 '25

Its hard when there aren’t enough doctors because med school is stupid expensive, and reimbursement rates for medicare/medicaid are shit. Most primary care docs spend 5-10 minutes with a patient before having to move on to the next. A bigger part of the problem is too many people these days are fat, stupid, and lazy. Fat cuz they eat like shit. Stupid cuz they won’t educate themselves on their shitty diet and the effects that causes on their health. And lazy cuz they won’t exercise. I’m sure that’s oversimplified but its in the ballpark.

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u/tamman2000 Jul 11 '25

Cost of education isn't what limits the supply of doctors. That's a degree that makes it really easy to pay off loans... What limits the supply of doctors is that the limit on the number of residencies the AMA will support in any year. Basically the doctor's organization (think of it like a union) determines how many new doctors can get their last level of training to become board certified so they can keep their pay up.

There's a movement to increase their numbers for the good of the patients, but a bunch of greedy fucks fight that movement for their own wallets.

(My dad was a medical school professor/neuropharmacology researcher. You're largely getting his take on this as remembered by me)

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u/Mediocre_Daikon6935 Jul 11 '25

I would argue a bigger problem is primary care pay is crap, compared to other specialties.

Thus making doctors not want to go into that field.

Additionally, primary care has been eaten by “health systems”, because administrative regulations have basically made independent practice if not impossible, difficult. Meanwhile, there are almost no regulations on them actually being able to provide any care at that location. 

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u/DeathToPennies Jul 11 '25

For sure dude our healthcare system is in the shitter because of people who need healthcare

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u/Careful_Reason_9992 Jul 13 '25

They wouldn’t need nearly as much healthcare if they took care of themselves