Hero or duty

I put out fires
Catch criminals, save lives,
Put my life on the line everyday
Trying to make a difference in every way.

What a life, what a task
Is this duty or hero I ask?

Few would argue
many would agree
There are no dangers from which we flee.
Many of us are paid whether
Regular time, full time, overtime, volunteer doubletime,
There is money to be made
But the dangers are clear without mask
Is this duty or hero you ask?

When the shots fly and the alarm goes off
The hardware we carry is never enough.
Buildings collapse and sometimes explode
criminals fight back and we carry the load
Even though life is short and never last
Is this duty or hero you ask?

When the towers went down
We went in willing and unsung,
Trapped in stairwell with fire all around
Forgetting our own trying to save, do the task
Hero or duty I ask?

Well we died in action paid
Decisions for us already made
Doing what we were trained to do
Bravest, finest,disease death but alas!

Duty and Hero if you must ask!!