Do firefighters only work when there is a fire?

No, they do not. Eighty percent of your emergency calls, from an engine, are medical assist. In California, several Department’s use the paramedics on the engine. Some departments mandate PT every shift. You better be in good shape, when a fire does come. If the lawn needed to be mowed, we did it. There is always something to be cleaned, or cooked. Continuing education, is also a part of a shift. We did this every shift. You will answer a lot of fire alarms. Doesn’t take a lot of work, but it can be a little taxing. You may even have to do building inspections during a shift. That Engine needs to be cleaned every shift. And they are not small. I friend of mine became a firefighter, sort of thinking the same thing, you just asked. Next thing he knew, he was leading the education classes, twisting hydrants and pulling hose. Go see if you can ride with Redwood City Fire Dept. for a shift. They may not be as busy as other cities and you may like the work load.