That is some scary stuff. (Never heard about first responders - just KNOW law enforcement, all of whom have been shot at at least once).
I spent several years in construction and much of the stuff I did would be considered dangerous, most of them because of unexpected safety problems - like half of a house falling down on you, or a 50 lb box of nails - or one that really laid me back, getting a nail right through my right foot. But I never had a co-worker assault me with a nail gun or a reciprocating saw. I never had anyone try to kill me while I took a break (although we did throw snowballs over the woodpile at my boss while he was taking a dump).
When I hung clapboard and vertical siding, there was the danger of slipping off the scaffolding in the winter, when it's covered in ice and mud. I just feel there's a different kind of danger knowing that the danger lies in that someone will try to KILL you.
The numbers just arnt there with LE and FD deaths, take away driving deaths on the way to calls, driving deaths on the way home after shifts, strokes on the job and suicide the numbers a really slim.
I have many friend in and retired in local DC LE, none have ever been shot.
My youngest sister now retired was a Sheriffs Deputy in Jacksonville, FL over 20 years.
She knows three in LE that have been shot, one was a self inflicted locker room pop.
Its all about the money, in Indy a 21 year old with a clean record starting at Indy Metro starts at
Ready? $72,000 and a take home car.
No college, no Journeymanship a high school diploma.