[yesb]

> Why are firefighters volunteers anyway instead of getting paid?

Government structure and basic economics. Fire depts are mainly funded by local taxes (property, sales) so low-risk rural places can't afford a fully staffed fire dept

>Why should any company create software that they can’t do at a profit - ie rewriting software for a new federal standard?

Where was it stated that any of these acquired companies were unprofitable? It's heavily implied that these PE firms are simply maximizing profit through anti-competitive behavior

[raw_anon_1111]

Again why is that? Teachers are funded by local and state taxes and (did?) get federal grants.

The article mentioned that these same firefighters are having to do fundraisers for equipment maintenance

I’m honing in for the software that what they cancelled would have to be completely rewritten to comply with new federal standards.

Would everyone be happier if this was funded by YC hoping the company would be acquired by a larger company and then you see a post about “Our Amazing Journey” when it’s discontinued?

[duxup]

Teachers get used every school day, all day. Firefighters in areas where there are a low number of events very much not so.

[raw_anon_1111]

What are your feelings about being on call as a software developer because software incidents don’t often happen at night? Would you expect to be paid for it? Or at least a higher than $0 salary?

[duxup]

Do you feel like these volunteers are being taken advantage of or something?

I doubt they do... they all have jobs and lives otherwise, they can simply not do the thing.

[raw_anon_1111]

Compared to the firefighters where I use to live making $80K a year in Forsyth?

[duxup]

Full time job?