Ems/fire

[bwg]

In order to become a paramedic for the fire department do you also have to be a firefighter? Does this vary by location? If so how does it work in Los Angeles? I read that in New York City firefighters and paramedics are separate even though ems is part of the fire department.

 

[DesertMedic66]

In order to become a paramedic for the fire department do you also have to be a firefighter? Does this vary by location? If so how does it work in Los Angeles? I read that in New York City firefighters and paramedics are separate even though ems is part of the fire department.

It varies. Some Fire departments will hire just paramedics. Some department will hire paramedics and then train them on the firefighting aspect of the job. Some fire departments have ambulances and some just have ALS/BLS ambulances.