The FD I work for starts EMT/firefighters ([i]EMT-B[/i]) at around 30 grand a year ([i]maybe slightly more, its been a while[/i])...with the stipulation that you are a paramedic within three years.
I am a firefighter/paramedic, and currently make 48 grand per year. (Will begin making 50 grand in July of 04.)
We work 24/48s (24 hours on duty, 48 hours off duty) with Six week kelly days right now ([i]soon to be three week[/i])...that means every six weeks you get a paid day off.
You also start out with 5 paid vacation days,
then at 5 years you get 7 vacation days...and at 10 years you get 10 vacation days.
(Example: I have been at this dept 7 years, so I get 7 vacation days that I can put anywhere on the calendar I want them.
Plus, I get a kelly day every six weeks.)
Working a 24/48 schedule means that any shift off means 5 days away from work.
(I always spread my vacation days out, and put them on the shift following a kelly day...So I have seven "vacations" that are all 10 days long.)
We also have excellent benefits, and retirement.
All that being said...We are a fair sized fire district (15 fully manned stations), and are the sole provider of fire, EMS, Haz-Mat, technical rescue, and air rescue to a 614 square mile county that includes everything from areas with multi-million dollar homes...to suburbs...to a ghetto that at one time held the distinguished honor of "crack capital of Florida", and also "AIDS capital".
Our medical protocols are amoung the most progressive in the State of Florida (and the entire U.S. for that matter.)
And we are an independent special taxing district.
Our pay, and benefits are about "middle of the road" amoung similar fire rescue departments.
Basically...The profession is what you make of it.
Most people love it...some people are miserable.
Most fire departments follow a "para-military" style rank structure ([i]some loosely, and some strictly[/i])
You have "good" calls..."bad" calls...and "bullshit" calls ([i]the latter usually being the most frequent[/i])
Safety is job one...and customer service is job two
Job requirements vary with different organizations.
Obviously..."Fire rescue" will require fire training, and "EMS only" will not.
EMS training will depend on the standard of care for the particular area.
No sure if I answered what you were looking for, but I hope I helped.