Yes having an aging fire fighter carrry your ass down a ladder is asking for trouble. but nothing says they can go on to teach or drive ambulances. or work in a multitude of support roles. There still alot of shit they can do to earn a paycheck, and stay off the pensions for a few extra years.
Yes there are SOME things, but if you have 10 support jobs and 50 people retiring in one area, that is still 40 with nothing to do. You also have to remember that if a support role doesn't have an age cap then it is very likely that a person could hold that position for 20-30 or more years, keeping others who are newly to that "I'm too old for running into burning buildings" point from taking those positions. And not EVERY firefighter is qualified to be an XYZ instructor. Not to mention, what will the ambulance drivers do when they get old?
I got the best solution, let's send them either to the post office (which can't afford them) or they could be door greeters at Walmart! Hell of a thanks for all those years saving lives and property but hey, it's not like anyone else could or would do that, right? Instead of retiring a couple years early or offering them something else for serving the community, let's give them JTC's or Job Transition Courses. Now smile and say "Welcome to Walmart!"
