I don't buy into this first responder entitlement, lots of friends who are first responders as well so I do know a little about the subject.

Biohazards are everywhere, I've seen more needles in roof gutters and on roofs than most places, usually mixed in with organic debris accumulations.Landscapers are exposed to partially exposed dirty needles daily as well.
Sewers in urban large areas are full of needles.
Many construction workers are exposed to electrocution and falling to their death nearly every day. Timber cutters, and loggers are exposed to extreme peril almost every minute of their duty.
Dental staff are exposed to saliva every day, medical staff are exposed to almost every body fluid out there daily.
ADC workers have an incredible zoonotic exposure, ever crawl in a hole with a live mountain lion or bear to kill it, as you see the list just goes on and on.

Well according to Newsweek and the USA Bureau of Labor Statistics the 10 most hazardous and dangerous jobs for 2019 are:

1.Logging
2. Commercial Fishing
3. Aircraft Pilots
4. Roofers
5. Refuse Collectors
6. Iron Workers
7. Truck Drivers
8. Farmers and Ranchers
9. Construction Work Supervisors
10. Grounds Keepers and Gardeners

So what is your point again?

Zim

Very valid points.

the ash borer has made loggin even more dangerous here-big time.

Let define first responders!

Yep..Maybe tuna fisherman needs to be included..

I qualify for the fourth and ninth categories, where do I sign up for my free stuff?

I'm joking of course, no single profession should be given government handouts the rest don't qualify for. I don't care how dangerous you consider your job. And I'm not implying that all other professions should be eligible for medicare at fifty, that's just ridiculous.

i think "woodsbum" should be on that list.

I think woodsbums should pay us all, those people have it made!

sanfo: I get that some stay longer at those jobs than they should because of healthcare. So do a lot of us. What would be wrong with those people getting preference for other less demanding jobs with the same entity rather than taxpayer paid early retirement not available to others? Ex: An older cop is no longer effective. Why could he not transfer to an available job with the same municipality doing any number of less strenuous or desk jobs? Taxpayers are still paying but at least they are getting some value for their dollars. Cops are generally intelligent enough to adapt to other jobs. I know that the unions would be against it but it seems like a common sense solution.

I would be against Medicare at 50. We can hardly afford it at 65. Disclaimer: I am 68 and have been on it for 3 years. It has been great for me individually but the country can't afford it as is currently applied.

So in this line of thought should the military get VA benefits?

It’s a benefit given to some that not everyone gets...

I own a tree and logging service and we do very hard and very dangerous work, it's physically demanding. Some days I'll climb 30 trees a day doing view clearing. And I have 2 workers that are over 50 and still out work most 20 yr old, so if a man can endure the aches and pains of years of logging and climbing and still preform his job well after 50 and some in their 60s then I have to believe a first responder could as well. Not knocking anyone, and if they can't preform their job after 50 yr old they can apply for disability just like everyone else. Just don't see how it would be fiscally possible, although I wish everyone could hang it after 50 if they wanted but as the old saying goes " money don't grow on trees"

RM--you can have that tree climbin,i like to bring em down to my level.

I here ya PCR2 , unfortunately for me it's hard to find good young guys who want to learn the trade so I'll probably be climbing til my body won't let me

I want to be a woodsbum when I grow up.
I am 65 now and plan to give er a few more years of hard work if I am able.
That way I will be able to fund insurance for those fellers who want
to hang it up at 50.
Never seen such a bunch of whine calves.

Zim

This has been a good healthy debate guys. Nobody went off the rails. Since the bill has been introduced let your elected officials know how you feel. That’s what I spent a bit doing last night. That’s how this government of ours SHOULD work. We should all be able to not only express but defend our views in an open forum and still be able to go have a beer afterward.

Hey, I can hang it up at 49! Who wants to work til 50?! Geez!