TransportJockey
Forum Chief
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Just saying, using DC FEMS as an example of a system that has ample OT but is NOT dysfunctional makes me wonder if you know what you are talkign about. DC FEMS is one of the worst run agencies in the country right now, as evidenced by their shortage of medics and now the idea of taking all medic ambulances off the roads between certain hours of the morning. They can't even cover their own calls.First off, everyone knows you do not get into EMS, Fire, or Police to become rich. However, an EMS career for the city of Austin not only can provide you a comfortable lifestyle, but ample opportunity for advancement. As far as "built in overtime", I would rather work the two 24's a week, or two 12's and a 24 a week to total 48 hrs, thus AUTOMATICALLY giving you 8 hrs a week in OT or 16 hrs a pay period, all for working just 2 or 3 days a week. This leaves you 4 to five other days during the week to enjoy life, go to school, or pick up extra shifts to buy a few toys. It's a well known fact that the big salaries we read about of ANY public safety provider was made in OT and not their base pay. And as far as when a department tells you there is ample OT doesn't necessarily mean that they are dysfunctional. Many of your larger departments (IE FDNY, LA City, LA County, DC Fire/EMS, Frisco just to name a few) including Austin will have the OT available due to vacation and sick time being utilized. And when you have a department with 400-1000 employees there are bound to be quite a few holes everyday, not to mention any vacancies that may already exist. I apologize if I came off aggressive or offensice, but I do not feel it's productive or helpful to bash, speculate, complain, or or spread misinformation about a department for which someone has no real 1st hand knowledge about. A healthier way to open the forum regarding the hiring practices and/or pay regarding a specific department would be to simply ask for clarification, or just ask the questions pertaining to those topics. Too often I read statements of "my friend works there and he told me this" or "I hear they're doing this." Statements such as these lead to false information getting out and misinterpretations of the facts.