Where is the best EMS system?

[TransportJockey]

Any idea if they pay for medic school?

Why would they? They have a ton of medics working as basics until one of their few ALS spots comes open.

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[VentMonkey]

Why would they? They have a ton of medics working as basics until one of their few ALS spots comes open.

Boston EMS...starting EMT-Bs at $26/hr from what I've heard. But they are very competitive and hard to get into

That was the impression I was under as well. I don't know a whole lot about BEMS, but from the wonderful job producers did on that show they had a year or two ago, it didn't seem like it would be a good fit for me, nor I for it; cool looking city though, and I still like that accent.

 

[EpiEMS]

Why would they? They have a ton of medics working as basics until one of their few ALS spots comes open.

Ah, I forgot about that! Whoops!

That was the impression I was under as well. I don't know a whole lot about BEMS, but from the wonderful job producers did on that show they had a year or two ago, it didn't seem like it would be a good fit for me, nor I for it; cool looking city though, and I still like that accent.

The city is pretty cool, but I really can't stand the layout, it makes no sense! Also, their trucks, they are way too big for that city, though it looks like they're downsizing to Type I units?

 

[Handsome Robb]

I'm interested to hear what it is about Boston that you like so much, If you don't mind.

They have a TV show...duh!


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[WestMetroMedic]

Does Hennepin have any special teams? Just curious I'm rtempted

We have three medics attached to the Minnesota US&R Task Force 1 (not a FEMA team), of which I am one. No tactical medicine stuff, but we do have a volunteer CSO/Paramedic program with one of the rural sheriff's offices that our medical director is a part time and fully licensed deputy. MN DMAT-1 has a number of HEMS folks, but isnt affiliated.
We also have line staff involved in technology, quality assurance, media production, and i am unsure what special stuff will pop up when Minneapolis hosts the 2017-2018 season Super Bowl. When we had the Republican National Convention in 2008, we had a number of special details built.

@VentMonkey
The turnover is a bit complex. I started 9 years ago and was #110 out of 112 total medics. Now I am #53 out of 163. We have four 30+ year retirements over the next month. Bit of the old guard leaving, but we also have turnover (not unlike everyone else) among the bottom 1/4th. People leave for Fire, Cop, and RN gigs usually, but people certainly stick around too.

 

[MassEMT2012]

Any idea if they pay for medic school?

No Idea, I do know from the info on their website that they do not directly hire paramedics. Boston EMS only hires EMTs, and then they promote EMTs with Paramedic certification to paramedic once they have enough experience and positions within the department open up. So Boston EMS does have some EMTs who are actually licensed Paramedics that are just practicing at the BLS level until an ALS spot opens up for them.

 

[VentMonkey]

No Idea, I do know from the info on their website that they do not directly hire paramedics. Boston EMS only hires EMTs, and then they promote EMTs with Paramedic certification to paramedic once they have enough experience and positions within the department open up. So Boston EMS does have some EMTs who are actually licensed Paramedics that are just practicing at the BLS level until an ALS spot opens up for them.

TMK, that is the majority of their EMT's that they hire, who await the oh so coveted ALS promotion. I'm sure @Tigger or another former, or current Bostonian could enlighten us though.

 

[MassEMT2012]

I'm interested to hear what it is about Boston that you like so much, If you don't mind.

Really because I am from the Boston area and am a die hard Masshole. I just love my homes culture and attitude, as well as the fact that we have some of the most advanced and widespread of trauma centers and hospitals in the country, if not the world. I know people come from all over the world to see certain doctors in Boston, so its kinda cool feeling like you're a small part of that large machine that is Boston healthcare. Boston EMS itself has a 6 month academy you have to pass once you are hired before you actually come off probation and get your badge. (Yes they have badges because they are technically a government organization, not a private company.) So the ****ing academy for BEMS is longer than the entire training course to even get the EMT license in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is because of the crazy amount of extra training they give both about EMS skills/knowledge, as well as info related specifically to Boston and managing any disaster that may happen (I.e Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013, which had an excellent response from city officials and helped saved a lot of lives.)

Bottom line: Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox, the culture, revolutionary/colonial history, best healthcare (MassGeneral, Brigham and Womens, Beth Israel, Childrens, Boston EMS, and education (Harvard, MIT, BU, BC, Tufts, etc.)

WHATS NOT TO LOVE BABY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? #BostonStrong

(Only downside is the fact that we are in the middle of the largest heroin/opiate epidemic in out nations history, you drive around outside some of the Boston hospitals in the south end area and see people nodding off and OD'ing in broad daylight which ****ing sucks =( ****, we have alot of sick people who need alot of help and compassion and care and a second chance.) #BostonStrong

 

[TransportJockey]

Just saying, just cause you're a govt agency doesn't mean you HAVE to have badges. Most of our municipal and county agencies around here (mine included) do not issue badges. Some of the big ones (WilCo, ATcEMS) do, though.

 

[Ensihoitaja]

Just saying, just cause you're a govt agency doesn't mean you HAVE to have badges. Most of our municipal and county agencies around here (mine included) do not issue badges. Some of the big ones (WilCo, ATcEMS) do, though.

We have badge numbers but not actual badges.

 

[cruiseforever]

I would encourage people that would look at Hennepin to also look at AllinaHealth Emergency Medical Services. It's a progressive service that is always looking at ways to improve it's self and the services they provide.

 

[VentMonkey]

"Bajesss, we don't need no estinkin' bajesss..."

 

[Handsome Robb]

Just saying, just cause you're a govt agency doesn't mean you HAVE to have badges. Most of our municipal and county agencies around here (mine included) do not issue badges. Some of the big ones (WilCo, ATcEMS) do, though.

Badges are new for us in the last few years and there's more than a handful that aren't happy about it. I'm indifferent about it but when I wear my jacket I get mistaken for a cop constantly.

We have metal badges for our dress uniforms and some wear them on regular duty but most have sewn on ones.

Each promotion you get a new badge with your title. SMO/LT and above are good instead of silver. At 5 years you're given a metal badge with your badge number on it that you get to keep even if you promote, if it's before your 5 years a promote you have to return your old badge. Every promotion puts stuff on your collar as well.


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[VentMonkey]

Wilco's patches are pretty spiffy, not sure if the badges are the same or similar.

@WestMetroMedic you've definitely piqued my interest regarding HCEMS. If or when I am ready to return to the ground you've helped bump HCEMS higher up on my list.

 

[hometownmedic5]

Since the advent of EMS, we collectively have been hunting for the "perfect system". To date, no such animal has been located. For sure there are systems where people can be happy, but every system has flaws and they must be taken into account.

Take for example Boston EMS, much discussed on this thread. Most of the information here is actually quite accurate, but one detail(a detail that is extremely crucial) has not been given just attention. In a word, residency.

In a lot more words, you must attain residency within city limits within six months of your date of hire, and maintain it for ten years. There are absolutely people who do not, but do you want your city job to be twisting in the wind because you decided to try to scam the system?

Once you factor in cost of living, the money isn't very attractive. Sure, it's BLS 911 in big flashy trucks in the big bad city, but you're not going to get rich doing the job. People frequently scope lock on the 25 bucks an hour(or whatever badged pay is these days) and overlook what it's going to cost you to live in a neighborhood where you don't need a handgun and body armor.

BEMS isn't a bad place to work, but it isn't Mecca. I flirted with the idea when I was a basic, but after careful analysis decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. To each their own

 

[VentMonkey]

Since the advent of EMS, we collectively have been hunting for the "perfect system". To date, no such animal has been located. For sure there are systems where people can be happy, but every system has flaws and they must be taken into account.

Take for example Boston EMS, much discussed on this thread. Most of the information here is actually quite accurate, but one detail(a detail that is extremely crucial) has not been given just attention. In a word, residency.

In a lot more words, you must attain residency within city limits within six months of your date of hire, and maintain it for ten years. There are absolutely people who do not, but do you want your city job to be twisting in the wind because you decided to try to scam the system?

Once you factor in cost of living, the money isn't very attractive. Sure, it's BLS 911 in big flashy trucks in the big bad city, but you're not going to get rich doing the job. People frequently scope lock on the 25 bucks an hour(or whatever badged pay is these days) and overlook what it's going to cost you to live in a neighborhood where you don't need a handgun and body armor.

BEMS isn't a bad place to work, but it isn't Mecca. I flirted with the idea when I was a basic, but after careful analysis decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. To each their own

Good first post, welcome to the forum.

 

[hometownmedic5]

Good first post, welcome to the forum.

Thanks. The place looked interesting from the highway.

 

[NomadicMedic]

I would encourage people that would look at Hennepin to also look at AllinaHealth Emergency Medical Services. It's a progressive service that is always looking at ways to improve it's self and the services they provide.

Does Alina and North Memorial do 911 as well? Is the pay structure and benefit package similar?

 

[PotatoMedic]

Thanks. The place looked interesting from the highway.

Just keep driving.

 

[medichopeful]

WHATS NOT TO LOVE BABY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? #BostonStrong

Driving around in the city is something I don't love!

I love Boston too, and still love visiting it. But good lord is it a horrible city to drive in or navigate