Why are firefighters considered heroes but Police officers are not?

Question

People have a bad perception of police officers mainly because the only time they encounter them is in negative situations (getting a ticket, being told what to do and not to do), but its seem noone respects them as heroes. They put themselves in harms way also by being reactive to gangs, shootings, violence and other dangerous situations. I realize firefighters go into flaming houses, but Police officers go into dangerous situations too, do you agree or disagree and please explain WHY?

firefighters dont have the opportunity to be corrupt. Where corruption is a possibility, you will have corruption. Its common sense, where there is the opportunity for something, that something it will happen eventually, unfortunately that is consisten in police work.

Answer 1

Police officers are hero's, they keep bad people off of the street. But when you have a society of young people brought up on the "hip-hop" lifestyle that says its OK to kill police and do drugs, it is a tough image to change.

Youths usually buy in to this idea watching their favorite rap stars in court, and being arrested, somehow blaming the police instead of taking responsibility for their actions.

Firefighters, heroes as well, strictly save lives and battle fires. They do not throw anyone in jail, so nobody has come up with anything to criticize them with yet.

Answer 2

Well, I agree with you. Although I have a Hero who is a Paramedic. I really appreciate what Police Officers, Firefighters and Paramedics do. Something others aren't willing to do. I've admired my local Police Department since age 8 (now 16). They are a dedicated team who work with excellence in policing. They encourage youth to make a right decision in life. They are always, I mean, 'always' helping the community. And I am proud of them!

Click on this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AnAp2Nnb6GLwDltSWfDySUcjzKIX?qid=20060706132817AAQnIDc

And that's my answer for you. These guys deserve much more respect. Much more. I'd like it if you could answer my question to. Thanks.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't answer properly for I was too busy to do so. So where were we? Right. When they (Police, Firefighters, Paramedics) reach the scene. The first thing you hear is "Where the hell have you been? What took you so long?" Never do they say "Thank-you for coming, if it wasn't for you guys..." Has it ever occurred to these people that they came with full lights and sirens. Fighting traffic. The cars don't even pull over, it could be their family member or friend dying for the love of (your choice).....!

I respect them as Heroes. They deserve it. Where I live (BC Canada) they have proven to be Heroes. And I will always take the time and courage to approch them. I said 'Courage' because I don't want to disturb them and I worry if they'll mind. Which never ended as a problem because they were always more then happy. I let them know how it really makes a difference and that I respect them for what they do. I also like it, as a youth to be saying it. When ever I help someone, they first expect me to want money in return and they don't believe me when I say all I want is a smile. Others will think I smoke or do drugs when I promised myself long ago that, that junk isn't helping me accomplish my goals. I've got many, which include making my local Police Department proud of me. And my Hero. Well, even if ONE Officer looks down at me and smiles. - Wow, am I ever going to be happy!?

Look, believe in yourself. What you think is right. Don't mind some answers you may get... I mean, I recall back in Elementary School. We had fieldtrips to meet Firefighters and Police Officers but never the Ambulance Stations. And I regret that lack of information I didn't get provided with. Paramedics do a lot! I heard a quote before, "A Doctor treats the patient in the same way with a few nurses, only difference is that, Paramedics do it in a smelly basement with a dim light."

My point here is, Firefighter, Paramedic, EMT or Law Enforcement Officer... you deserve more respect. And that respect is in this 16-year-old. God Bless!

Warm Regards!
- Hidden

Answer 3

IN a way I agree. However, the negative has reared it's ugly head in my mind, and let me get that out before I forget it. For one thing, there are perceptions about cops for a reason. Many people in this country (and others) are law abiding citizens, for the most part. We may speed from time to time, but most of the time it's unintentional. Yet, when we get pulled over, too many times we get made to feel like a criminal. I've been pulled over several times and I'd say at least 50 percent of the time, the cop was a jerk, taking things personally, and not being very professional.

Another thing; a few years ago, it was pointed out to me that the job of cops is NOT to keep crimes from happening. Perhaps they do sometimes, and I'm sure some of them would like to. But the biggest job of cops is to find the suspects AFTER a crime has been committed. That means, we're all pretty much SOOL as far as crime is concerned. The best we can hope for is that certain bad guys are taken off the streets before we run into them.

Answer 4

I think you answered your own question. More people have negative interactions with police than with firefighters. There are more corruption scandals with police. There are more temptations and opportunities for police to hurt people in various ways, and therefore those things happen more with police, and sometimes it's even filmed. Firefighters usually interact with the public in situations where they are summoned and wanted; police often insert themselves into situations in which they are not wanted. Firefighters are almost always on everybodies' side (against nature or danger); police are often found on the side of some people against others. Firefighters almost always seem to be "in the right" in the eyes of almost everybody; with police, it often depends whom you ask.

I think the perception of heroism requires both bravery and agreement with the action. I think firefighters, police, and soldiers are all uncommonly brave (whether by disposition, training, or both). But for a soldier to be a hero, it's not enough to be brave; he has to be a soldier on your side. (Enemy soldiers can be brave, but they are not heros to us.) Hardly anybody disagrees with firefighters' actions most of the time; lots of people have reservations about some police actions a certain amount of the time. All the bravery in the world can't change that.

Answer 5

as an officer its hard to say . Some people just teach there children to hate the police. And people often see police locking someone up not helping. but just think if we were not here. Who would stop the drug dealers who would come to the seen of an accident, who would stop your boyfriend or girlfriend from beating the sh*t out of you. Who would be there for you . its a shame we don't get any credit, so what we run in burning buildings to, we jump in front of guns and crazy people who have not taken there meds . people need to see how much we help . sorry i get upset at time

Answer 6

I believe both are and should be considered heroes. Indeed I think most people feel the same way that I do. Both put their lives on the line to make the world a safer place. The only difference is some of the terms that are used (i.e. policemen are a city's "finest," firemen and a city's "bravest").

Answer 7

firefighters are "always" considered heroes because they don't inconvenient anyone by doing their jobs. while police officers must control the few by writing tickets or send people to jail in order to keep control of the many
just think what this world would be like if we didn't have police officers to keep order and control

Answer 8

Far and away, yes I agree with you.

However, you have to admit that there have been notorious examples of abuse of power that policemen commit that firemen do not.

I've never seen any "Rodney King" videos involving firemen. I've not heard of white New Orleans firemen rousting up African American wives of black NO policemen, etc.

That hardly justifies the generally negative opinions that police officers undeservedly receive. But how many folks have been pulled over by arrogant, "I'm God's gift to mankind", chip on the shoulder policemen?

Hands, anyone?

Answer 9

Um. I agree. Police Officers Are Underrated, But...
The cops here in manhattan hang out and talk with the drug dealers that sit across from my job...

I have respect for actual police officers (even though i've been through my share of unfair crap)... but some of these people are worthless.

If you are:

A: driving around in a van with 4 other rookies writing tickets... Go Die.
B: hanging out with Drug dealers... Go Die
C: Talking on your cell phone about your baby daddy while on duty... Go Die and take your kid with you.

Otherwise, thank you for doing your job... Correctly

Answer 10

They are both heroes when the do heroic things giving a ticket is not heroic but foiling a bank robbery is for a police officer.