What makes you think your boss doesn’t know? Clearly if he expected you to do something, there would be results to show it. Even if it’s something simple like paperwork, he’d get on you about why it’s not being done. If it’s so important that no one’s noticed you not doing it for 2 years, it’s probably not actually very important.

The legal term in many countries is “Waiting to engage” vs “Engaged to wait”. The former is for people on call, where they can reasonably use their personal time and take some time to respond. You are in the latter group, probably up to the point where your lunch could be interrupted and the like. You don’t have the luxury of waiting 30 minutes to respond. You need to respond immediately. And they pay you for that privilege.

You’re being paid to be there and to be ready for when that medical emergency does happen.

Standing by “just in case” means you’re giving up your time, a normal sleep schedule, and aren’t at your own place or going out.

Sometimes, having someone on standby is exactly what’s needed. And it’s good that they’re compensating you fairly for that time.

You don’t want to be in the situation where you’re “officially” free and unpaid, but always have to be within 10 minutes of work and rush there whenever you get a call that can happen at any time.

And besides, when it comes to emergencies, someone who just got rushed out of whatever they were doing isn’t the most helpful.

When I was trying towards being an airline pilot it was said that the job is 99% boredom followed by 1% of sheer terror. Being a firefighter or your job sounds similar, with the hope of boring shifts, but the understanding when expertise is needed it must be available. The boredom aspect didn’t work with my brain so I deal with computers these days.

My job has large patches like this. I refer to it as “fire duty”. I’m not being paid to do anything. I’m being paid to do the correct thing in an emergency. I’m the insurance.

Your best bet is to check your rules, either on paper, or to ask and do an appropriate hobby. It’s particularly effective if its a cumulative hobby (thing programming rather than computer games). If queried on it, you’re just keeping your brain up at speed.

Don’t say anything

Do you want disabled people to have medical emergencies? 🤪

Relax, you’re being paid for what you know, what you can do, and being there when you have to do what you know.

In my opinion, you are describing a form of “imposter syndrome” and it’s not unusual for professionals to experience it.

There are many jobs where only a very small amount of time is spent “doing the job”, the rest is waiting around.

The thing is, waiting around is also the job and whilst you’re not handling an emergency, you don’t suddenly become a different person, you don’t forget those skills.

You are being paid for your skills and availability, plus having to work at night. Your employer can pay someone cheaper who can be up all night but won’t know what to do if something does happen. They can also get someone who has the skills but won’t agree to do the job at night unless they are paid higher. Being able to do both is what they’re paying you for. I would suggest you use your time to maybe make your idle time productive, like learning something new (if you’re allowed to of course).

I learned this early on, but basically they’re paying you for your availability in case an emergency arrises. It brings peace of mind. My situation had to do with being available during an important meeting and need all tech running smoothly. Yours is something more important and deal with vulnerable human lives.

There’s a parable about a mechanic with a hammer (here described as an old man with a hammer):

https://openside.group/the-parable-of-the-old-man-with-the-hammer/

It seems applicable.

It is a good job.

If you are from the US that might be why it feels weird. Keep saving.

And being there is what these folks need for when they need you. And you need them. So don’t just go sleep on the couch. Once the late nights start to interfere with your health it is time to give up that shift to someone younger.

Until then you are on the good foot. Keep caring for them and yourself. Save your monies. And take up life affirming activities outside of work.

And keep being my hero.

If the firefighters are sleeping, the city is at peace.

At one of the factories I worked at, the CEO was fond of saying, “If the electricians are sleeping, we’re making tons of money!”

If you were busy, your employer wouldn’t be as profitable. You’re there for those times when your expertise is necessary, but they’re better off when it isn’t.

Your employer is paying for your availability.

It’s fine and you are lucky just don’t get bored

If you feel like it is too easy and you’re worried that you’re not doing enough or if you want to do more, I would recommend communicating with your manager. One, to make sure you’re meeting expectations, and two, to see if there’s a possibility of doing more/taking on more responsibilities (if you want to, if not, disregard). For the former, this ensures that you’re not missing something that they expected you to be doing, so that you’re not surprised by how they feel about your work later. For the latter, doing more may feel more personally fulfilling, and additionally, taking on more responsibilities could mean a promotion or a bump in pay.

If I’ve learned anything during my jobs, it’s to overcommunicate with my manager to make sure that we’re on the same page with how we’re both feeling.