They must become fully alert and ready to answer an alarm, even if they were sleeping. Uniforms and protective clothing are provided by the employer. Some cities employ thousands of firefighters, while other cities hire only a few. In small towns, firefighters usually work with the same people every day. Many firefighters belong to unions, such as the International Association of Firefighters.
Wages vary with training, experience and location.
Entry level wages may be lower. Firefighters often earn overtime pay for working extra shifts. Overtime can raise their salaries above the amounts reported here. Pay varies with the region and city size. The employees rank and experience also affect wages.