Private or Public

[Alpha752]

The topic of Private companies Vs. Public departments is an old one. However, I wanted to see what this groups take on it is. Who do you work for? Pros/Cons either way?

I am new out of school, and am looking at starting off at a private company. This will help me gain experience, along with, make sure this is what I really really want to do with my life. After that, I am considering putting myself through FF1, and trying to get on a FD. If that doesnt work out right away, I may do Paramedic on my own as well. I would prefer to work for a city FD as a FF/EMT-P, but I think there is a lot to learn from the private companies.

Opinions?

Russ

[SafetyPro]

Depends on the area. Around here (Southern California), most of the FDs do their own transport. Most run ALS ambulances with two FF/Paramedics on-board. Others run non-transport ALS squads (pickup chassis) and rely on BLS private ambulances for transport. Most private company ambulance crews around here get relegated to interfacility transports. And, the turnover rate for the crews is very high as most are trying to get experience to get into paramedic school to get an edge in being hired as a FF (almost all FFs here are at least EMT-1, but being a medic gives you a distinct advantage).

Other parts of the state have first response private ambulances though (both ALS and BLS).

[Chimpie]

You also have to think about retirement, something most 20 and 30 year olds don't think about.

What happens after you put in 20-25 years of service? Are private ambulance companies going to give you a pension? And what happens if they get bought out by another company? Will your pension transfer? And what happens if the company goes under? What happens with your pension then?

Then of course there is pay, benefits, days off, then more importantly, the equipment you are going to be using and the procedures that you are going to be following. Do you agree with everything that the private/public service is putting forth to you?

Chimp