Can you really make that comment about the "average FF?" What is your scope?
I'm not sure what you mean by asking, "What is your scope?" If you are asking upon what basis do I make my statement, it is as follows:
1) My husband's father was an LA county FF since his youth and he retired from there. My husband has reported to me his lifelong observations.
2) My husband's decade long tenure with his own department.
3) My own experiences seeing the pictures of firefighter's at conventions in other states, with firefighters from other states, that demonstrates the drinking and womenizing that takes place within this industry and that it is not a localized problem.
4) Periodic news reports of poor firefighter decision-making that extends beyond a few rogue individuals. An example is Sacramento's issue wherein AT THE STATIONS AND WHILE ON DUTY, the firefighters were covering the apparatus bay windows with paper and bringing in strippers to perform...and yes, they touched them.
5) My own experiences at firefighter functions.
I understand there is a "hero" myth, especially since 9/11, but, it is good to remember that firefighting is a position that require only a high school education. Like all industries, it attacts a particular personality type that tends to manifest itself in certain behaviors. Computer nerds tend to act like computer nerds, and firefighters tend to act like firefighters. I do not believe that is a particularly controversial concept that needs reams of supportive empirical data. ;)
