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Here's my advice, because it's what I did at one point. Call every ambulance provider in a two hour window and ask them what they pay starting out. I've done this for several areas and never had an issue (just be honest about why you're asking). Ask them what kind of shifts they work (mandatory...

Earning a living as a Paramedic varies greatly on where you live. Usually private services aren't paid nearly as well, so it might not even be financially worth it to get your AS and then go work for a private service. Strictly speaking you don't have to have street experience to work as a...

No you can't sell a military benefit back, but you can opt not to use them. You don't have to use Tricare Reserve Select (although you should because it's pretty good), and you don't have to buy the life insurance. You can opt out of paying for the old GI Bill, and it wouldn't change anything...

Florida is mostly Fire based EMS. If you want to make a decent wage there's three agencies -Sunstar Paramedic Tampa, FL -Lake EMS, Lake County -EVAC Volusia County Florida Hospital has it's own interfacility service but I'm not sure exactly how much they make. American Ambulance is an IFT...

From my experience many EMS groups don't have the slick HR stuff we've come to expect. After doing a lot of interviews and working with a few groups, they all tend to be more direct. A lot of times they have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. So that doesn't throw up a red flag to me. See how the...

Yes, IFTs don't get a lot of respect, don't get paid as well, and don't have good benefits (in general). But you don't have to work for an IFT forever. Depending on how your local system is set up, you could become a fire fighter, work for a stand-alone EMS service, or for a private service that...

This is the advice my instructor gave me, and it worked. Sit down with a calendar and plan your life for the length of your program. Class on this day, clinicals today, work now, study here, see friends/family on this time. It's entirely possible to work full-time and do well in medic school...

Exercise is a close second, but hobbies are my stress relief. I love to go shooting. During the week when i can't, I'll put on my gear and practice. I try to incorporate things I enjoy into everything I do. So I read between calls (about to finish the Wheel of Time, it's going to be emotional...

Older meth head lady. "Have you ever had sex in the back of your ambulance?" Me "Why are you offering?" Meth head, "Honey I got standards"

By the time I actually make it back onto a truck, I will have been out for about a year and a half. I'm worried about losing skills and knowledge during that very long break. I've brought all my books with me (ACLS, ITLS, PALS, and medic textbook) and I try to spend a few hours a week looking...

I try to eat the right amount of food and eat more of the right stuff. I don't eat most fast food, and try to limit myself to "healthier" options like Subway, Chipotle etc (I know they are not healthy options, but they're better than McDonald's or Taco Bell). I go for smaller portions (getting...

my EDC knife is a CRKT M21-12G. I've had this one for probably 2-3 years and I've used CRKT knives for last ten. I sharpen it maybe once a month and it keeps an edge very well.

It really depends on where you work. In Central Florida cost of living is what I would consider middle of the pack, and there's a few agencies that pay fairly well. I can't speak for anywhere else though. I would recommend finding the providers in your area and doing some more research. Do you...

Initially my wife was wary. The only exposure she (or her family) had with guns was a great uncle was got drunk and waved loaded guns in public. After awhile I even got my wife to do competitions with me. I'm fortunate that my wife is very open and reasonable.

I do competitive shooting, running races with the wife, school, time with the kids. That's the fun stuff anyways. Then there's the yard work, trying to keep the house from falling apart etc etc.

It's all about time management. If you want to do both, then do it. Sit down and plan. Class from this time to this time. Work from now tell then. Study here. Sleep here. I hate to be that guy, but for half of the time I was in Paramedic school I worked full-time as an EMT, part time at a gas...

If I can do so safely, I often stop for wrecks or heck even people broke down on the side of the road. Most of the time they don't need any help but often enough I find people with a dead cell phone, no phone etc. Before I get out of my car I do a quick risk assessment, and there's been times...

Sorry if this has been done before. I searched several ways and couldn't find any threads about it. I'm trying to find information about Orange County fire dept (FL) and their PMO programs. I've spoken to several OC Fire Medics and they say the program is still going but they didn't know how to...

It could be the maker your using. My company uses a hodge podge of Chevy's and Ford's from three or four manufacturers. Each truck had a different mix of space. Some of them I couldn't sit in the jump seat behind the stretcher. Literally couldn't could my ankles between the chair and stretcher.

I hate the FL DOH. Taking the state exam for my medic has been an awful experience. It's frustrating the hell out of me.