Fire Paramedic

[Rocketmedic40]

Well, folks, I've decided that I should probably become a firefighter-paramedic somewhere to feed my family and stuff after I leave the Army. I'm a year short of an associate's degree, physically fit, a currently-serving veteran, a very employed paramedic, and have no disciplinary or other issues. I've got the GI Bill and live in El Paso, TX (flexible to some extent on location after the Army, but I like the Southwest/Texas).

I'm sort of lost on where to start. Active-duty Army really limits my educational options now, but I'll get more time starting this summer, and I can sham out of some of the more useless Army tasks to further my real job. What should I do to make myself the best candidate I can be for a transporting fire department fire paramedic? Which classes, what degree, etc? Are online/private fire academies worth the money you spend or are they wasted?

My ten-year plan is to be a paramedic at either a large private corporation, a third service, or a hospital, or with a transporting fire department as a fire paramedic, making a decent wage and with a bachelor's degree.

Along these lines, short of MD, what is a good degree plan going along with these goals? I'm looking pretty strongly at becoming an RN on the side and eventually getting a BSN, or possibly a degree in fire/emergency management, or perhaps engineering...y'all can see where I'm confused.

Any help, advice, or information is appreciated. Thanks!

[terrible one]

firehouse.com

you will have more responses over there as most of your questions have been asked several times on that site.

As far as 4 year degrees go most FDs don't really care. You may get a small incentive like 3% increase in pay, but other than that the majority of entry level positions won't care. It will really come down to how you sell yourself in the interview. A canidate with a basket weaving degree that has the ability to sell it in the interview has the potential to do better than an individual with a masters in fire protection.

I would pick a degree in a career field that has good job growth and a good salary. That may depend on the area you plan on living, but look for something that you can fall back on because there is a strong possibility that you will not get hired as a firefighter. Not trying to sound negative but it is a highly sought after career with odds around 1000:1 in some areas. If you are set on a certain location that may make it more difficult, depending on the economy of those cities/counties.

Start by talking to the departments that you are interested in and asking them what they look for in canidates. Some departments may weigh a degree more heavily than others, and some may want volunteer/reserve experience. Concentrate your efforts on the right areas that the departments you are interested in want from new recruits.

Good Luck

[PoeticInjustice]

Originally Posted by Rocketmedic40

Well, folks, I've decided that I should probably become a firefighter-paramedic somewhere to feed my family and stuff after I leave the Army. I'm a year short of an associate's degree, physically fit, a currently-serving veteran, a very employed paramedic, and have no disciplinary or other issues. I've got the GI Bill and live in El Paso, TX (flexible to some extent on location after the Army, but I like the Southwest/Texas).

I'm sort of lost on where to start. Active-duty Army really limits my educational options now, but I'll get more time starting this summer, and I can sham out of some of the more useless Army tasks to further my real job. What should I do to make myself the best candidate I can be for a transporting fire department fire paramedic? Which classes, what degree, etc? Are online/private fire academies worth the money you spend or are they wasted?

My ten-year plan is to be a paramedic at either a large private corporation, a third service, or a hospital, or with a transporting fire department as a fire paramedic, making a decent wage and with a bachelor's degree.

Along these lines, short of MD, what is a good degree plan going along with these goals? I'm looking pretty strongly at becoming an RN on the side and eventually getting a BSN, or possibly a degree in fire/emergency management, or perhaps engineering...y'all can see where I'm confused.

Any help, advice, or information is appreciated. Thanks!

Kind of depends. If you want to be a fire-medic, get an idea of what kind of department you want to work for. Smaller ones typically require you to have your TCFP (they will sometimes make exceptions for paramedics), but larger departments like mine could care less and are going to put you through their own whether you have it or not. I'm also sure you're aware that some of the departments that do civil service entrance exams will give you (military) an extra 5 points or so. On our test, I've seen that move some guys up 500 spots or more.

As far as a degree and how it helps you, again it's dept dependent. Most places could care less. Here, however, a bachelors will get you an extra 400ish a month. What you get it in is entirely up to you. I know some guys who get it in something completely unrelated that they can do another career on the side. Others get something in emergency management so they can move up higher in the ranks and prepare for some of the really well paying jobs after retirement.

Your 10year plan seems very doable with tons of options. Especially with your training and military background.

[medic417]

El Paso fire posted an application/testing cycle recently.

[arharris83]

If you already have your paramedic then you should be golden as long as you can sell yourself in the Interview. Most fire departments are hurting extremely bad on the Medic side. Just be aware that if you do have your paramedic more than likely you'll be riding the Ambulance for a long time so if you want to do the Fire Side more than don't bank on it with a paramedic license. I have recently been hired by a part-time Fire Department as a firefighter/EMT-B but I also have finished Paramedic class just need to do the National Registry. Just an FYI I am also a Firefighter (12m) in the Army Reserves so I have all the certs and that still don't mean all that much to the departments but Vet Points are def. a plus!

[rescue1]

Dallas is hiring too, and I think they hire FF/Medics, though I could be wrong.

[Rocketmedic40]

I'm currently waiting on El Paso- I think the testing is in April. The Army is really getting in the way.
I want to stay on the ambulances. Fires scare me.