Career Opinion?

[Major.Huff]

Well I am new here, have just been reading other posts for a few day's now. Hoping that it is alright I'm posting this here. I've finally come to the point I really should just ask all of you on here who have a good deal of experience in the emergency services for an opinion.

I was certified for my EMT in April. Since then I have been applying to every Volunteer squad that is within a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes of my current location. So 3 EMS and 3 QRS. I began this process immediately after the approval of my certificate. I have had no luck in responses. And even made follow up calls. A close friend of mine has been a part of a fire company for a little over a year now, and is going for his FF1 in the fall. Suggested maybe I look into it as well. And I have thought about it, but was not entirely sure. It happens that a week ago a fire company (right near me), the most resent I contacted to get an application for, called me. I scheduled a time to stop in an fill one out. (Very nice people!) The same day though I finally had a phone call from an EMS station 20 minutes away. So I also made an interview time with them for next week. He was a bit rough on the edges though. Which was not helping with the matter.

Anyways, what I am trying to ask.. Is where do you think I should go, career wise? Fire, to be honest, was a fear of mine for the longest time. But there is just something incredibly intriguing about it that still has me hanging here debating. While EMT was a sort of spur of the moment thing, but I think all the crazy things people can survive are awesome. Will it kill me to run hours with both EMS & FD? I have yet to have the opportunity to run a call and make sure I am capable of the demands of trauma situations that are not in a calm scenario type moment. (Since no squad has returned my call until now!) I believe I'll be fine, but it's nice to try something before you say that it's what you want to do with your life?

If fire does not suit me, I have no problem just volunteering my time for the community, and their QRS when it's running. I really like to stick with things, rather than keep changing.

I doubt any of that made sense at all. I apologize for how jumbled it was. It's hard to ask someone in person even because everyone is EMS or FF. So asking people who have experience, and a clearer mind too sounds like a smart idea.

I'm just stuck in spot where fire sounds REALLY fun and continuing education into another field would be a blast, because it's something new! But also, I figured if I enjoyed EMS as much as I have for training, I would look into Paramedic training next year.

I thank anyone SO much if they take the time to read that, and put the effort into trying to figure out what in the world I am saying. Harder to write out than I thought. I am so sorry ha ha. Thank you all loads in advance though!

 

[46Young]

I recommend that you enter a fire academy. You'll learn fire suppression in a safe, regulated, controlled environment. You'll do ( safe) live burns which will give you a small taste of what a structure fire will be like. It's not as hot as a real fire, the house won't have any furniture, and you'll have a RIT crew with a charged hoseline to protect you.

What I don't recommend is joining a volly dept for suppression experience without having your FF1. OJT is dangerous, and many volunteer depts that don't send their members to an accredited academy like to do things "their way." The problem with this is that they'll only train you for what you may encounter in your first due. If you don't have high rises, you won't train for standpipe ops. Some depts don't train forcible entry, VES, or truck work in general. The main drawback with volly fire depts is with training. Most if not all large and mid size depts do plenty of on duty in service or out of service drills. Some volly depts are good about sending theirs to an accredited fire academy and doing regular training, but many fall well short of the necessary on duty training, and OJT only for recruits.

In the meantime, if you like EMS, go to medic school. As a medic, you'll have a fairly easy time getting on to a decent FD, as well as a good number of third service EMS agencies. Either way, the P-card is the golden ticket.

Also, don't waste your time going to the EMT-I program. In many areas, you can do most of what a medic does, but with maybe half the education. Go right to EMT-P, and save yourself time with redundant schooling. Most of us in NYC went straight from B to P without issue.

 

[firetender]

I don't think I'd be too crazy about you choosing to get into EMS because it sounded like fun. Were I a Fireman, I'd tell you being a Fireman isn't what you want to be. The stakes are a bit too high to be casual about it. I wouldn't feel secure leaning on you in a pinch. I would hope that if you were going to be a Smokeater, it would be because you REALLY want to fight fires and anything else, including fun, is secondary.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

My great grandpa was a firemen, my grandpa was a firemen on LA fire, his son(my uncle) was a firemen on LA fire and I got an unofficial offer from LA fire but was accepted into my states #1 fire academy. 3 weeks into it I dropped out. My friends and family thought I was crazy.
The only reason I joined was because I was an Intermediate at the time and I thought I could continue the family tradition and that was the best paying job for my education.
I knew as soon as I started it just wasn't for me. I was interested in medicine. EMS was my thing, not fire. The money is not as good but its what I liked and what I wanted. You will know if fire is for you or not quickly if you where like me.

 

[MrBrown]

Being an Ambulance Officer is not about "fun" it is about applying a highly specialised set of knowledge and experience to solve often critically complex challenges that have very real consequences ... like you know, DEATH or worse but that also have very real and immensly rewarding outcomes.

If you want "fun" go become a professional clown or something but stay away from Paramedicine because its not where you will find "fun".

Although I have to admit rocking up to a job in a brightly coloured helicopter in an orange jumpsuit with "DOCTOR" written on it does sound appleaing ... think of all that awesome knowledge and skill I will be able to apply for the benefit of my patient.

Hello? Jumpsuit Warehouse? Yes, good morning its Brown speaking, I'm one of the future helicopter emergency service doctors .... listen, do you do lay away?

 

[Major.Huff]

I appreciate everyone's response. I clearly worded everything wrong then. I could not be any more of a dedicated person to whatever it is I choose to move into. And I am not for selling myself, but that is one thing I am well aware of. I am loyal to who I work for, and what I do. When I say "fun" I mean it in a way that I would like to begin a career I will enjoy, and enjoy for as long as my body and mind will let me. When the idea of starting and EMT class came into view, I spent my vacation sitting on a deck pre-reading a friends EMT book so I already went in knowing the basics, and added the practical help once I began class. I enjoyed the education and the people in it. I did not get into the EMS for the "fun" you are describing. I got into it because it was something that peaked my interest, and still does mind you. But I have not been available to experience it further since April, due to the lack of volunteers needed in my area apparently.

Fire, however. I am beginning to enjoy. I went with the company last night to a training to observe. They could not have been any more welcoming, and willing to share their knowledge with me. There is a fire school that I could attend, which last night was an example of one of the classes. It was organized, and safe, and they provide all that was listed needed. It's not an "academy" but there is a high rise practice for burns, and I've read over the class list and force-able entry is in it as well. Many classes are incorporated. And I adore the engine. Adore it!

Thank you to all who responded. I am sorry it was taken not in the way I meant it. I can promise you I am not in this for the glitz and glamor. I know what comes in both fields having friends and family in both. I've heard the stories, and I've practiced the skills. I am here for the real deal. I'm not just fooling around. I just figured maybe you would have an opinion. I guess I will just learn on my own which one really suits me.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses.

 

[mgr22]

I see volunteering as a form of charity. It's pretty hard to argue against being charitable. Whether you donate time as a FF or as an EMT, I believe you're doing something inherently good. Try either.

 

[mcdonl]

I see volunteering as a form of charity. It's pretty hard to argue against being charitable. Whether you donate time as a FF or as an EMT, I believe you're doing something inherently good. Try either.

Well said.

For what it's worth, me being the resident IT professional on the department I wrote job descriptions and applications last night for Perdiem coverage and FF1/FF2 were required for both the ALS provider and the driver. Driver also needed to be EMT-B

 

[jjesusfreak01]

Hello? Jumpsuit Warehouse? Yes, good morning its Brown speaking, I'm one of the future helicopter emergency service doctors .... listen, do you do lay away?

Do you dream about that jumpsuit?

 

[MrBrown]

Do you dream about that jumpsuit?

Not at all

 

[busmonkey]

I would have to agree with the general consensus on the forum - It appears as though you have a lack of knowledge on the fire side to make a fair decision, because, for all you know it might be the best thing that ever happened to you. At the same time it might be the worst. Either way, what a better place to figure it out than in a controlled setting where you can learn and there is no pressure to perform to 100% (as there sometimes is in the field). I suggest taking the fire academy, and if you like it, you like it and if you don't you don't. Your only going to come out of it all the more wiser and sure about a tough decision. My cousin was in a similar situation and wasn't sure whether to go fire or EMS. He went to the fire academy and enjoyed it but he isn't sure, so he is taking his EMR just to see. Personal opinion I suppose.

 

[1badassEMT-I]

Well I will put my 2 cents in for what that mite be worth.......GO WITH YOUR HEART!.......having done both for 22 years I find it rewarding being a volunteer and paid!!!!! Here is another tought.....I dont know of any fire dept in the country that will place YOU in HARMS way without schooling back some years ago I would said different. That was then now is the new no school on fight fire PERIOD!!!!!!......so with the comment that was made earlier about that is BS..... standards have to be met before you can start putting the WET STUFF on the RED STUFF .....anywhere I have ever went.....

 

[46Young]

Again, my issue with volunteer depts is the inconsistency with training. There ought to be some regional fire academy that everyone must go through in order to work in the IDLH. Piecemeal training in only the hazards that their particular dept runs is inadequate. What if you do mutual aid and run a high rise or strip shopping center fire while never having trained to work either one?

Also, after completing the fire academy, how often are you drilling to maintain your skills/knowledge and improve at the job? Many volunteer depts don't mandate any regular training, be it company ops, multi unit drills, or in station powerpoint drills. We have a monthly training matrix that must be completed by all personnel as well as OOS multi unit drills with the rest of the batallion. EMS is integrated within the matrix as well and is also mandatory. How many volunteer depts are strict on this? It's especially important if the call volume is low.

 

[1badassEMT-I]

Again, my issue with volunteer depts is the inconsistency with training. There ought to be some regional fire academy that everyone must go through in order to work in the IDLH. Piecemeal training in only the hazards that their particular dept runs is inadequate. What if you do mutual aid and run a high rise or strip shopping center fire while never having trained to work either one?

Also, after completing the fire academy, how often are you drilling to maintain your skills/knowledge and improve at the job? Many volunteer depts don't mandate any regular training, be it company ops, multi unit drills, or in station powerpoint drills. We have a monthly training matrix that must be completed by all personnel as well as OOS multi unit drills with the rest of the batallion. EMS is integrated within the matrix as well and is also mandatory. How many volunteer depts are strict on this? It's especially important if the call volume is low.

I dont think once again that any dept will lack training....but thats just me.......to much liabilty for that to happen....STANDARDS have to be met.....I dont think a dept. will go against that...any volunteer dept I ever been on train just like paid depts.

 

[Scottpre]

In agreement with the rest of the posts, you gotta WANT to be whatever it is you decide to be in emergency services. I am not aware of any area where you can succeed without being fully dedicated to the profession.

Fire, EMS, LE, even emergency management all require significant dedication and commitment to be an effective professional.

My suggestion: look for every opportunity to train and get experience. Working the street is great, but if you don't have that option yet, go for whatever you can find:

Special events as an EMT
Wildland fire fighting
Search and Rescue
Military Active/Reserve duty as EMS, FF, etc.

Get creative, look around. The opportunities are out there, but you gotta want it bad enough to work your heart out for them. We don't work in a field for the casually committed.

 

[Major.Huff]

I appreciate everyone's responses! They have been helpful!

I have actually chosen to move forward with the volunteer fire company. I've gone on two training drills to observe and participate a little in what there was to do. They've been very helpful and are completely willing to train and help in any way possible. So I have been enrolled for the fire school in autumn! It should hopefully give me some help in finding my thing in the emergency services! However, I am still available to proceed with being am EMT because they do not have many active ones at this station, so I've been gifted a spot on the rescue truck! I am going to continue with an Vol. EMS station interview I have coming up, and will hopefully run night shifts with them, and work into what had originally brought me in to the emergency services.

So far, I have learned a great deal in fire, and am thoroughly enjoying it.

Thank you again everyone!