[grivera]

I could have retired 4 years ago but love the job and maxed out my percentage in the meantime. At this point it feels right to leave but I am looking for a second career. LE and FD jobs are great due to pensions but working a big city like I do takes a toll on your body, mind, relationship, social life, etc. Many many long hours, mandatory overtime (more now with many leaving the profession), working weekends, holidays, nights/midnights, etc. It isn’t for everybody, so they have to offer competitive benefits packages to attract and retain people. I’ve managed to stay married (to the same woman) for 28 years but that is very rare in this profession. The Lord has blessed me with good health and a wonderful support system at home, and we managed to raise two engineers in the process!