Hello, all. Chicagoan here checking out your forum.
My girlfriend and I are strongly considering a move to Florida. Analyzing it, pros and cons, all that, but strongly, strongly considering it. There are some things we're kind of waiting on (I'm actually quite close to getting on with Chicago Fire Department) but at the same time we absolutely love it down there for numerous reasons and would love to live there. Would likely be within the Lee County area, possibly northern Collier County. I know both run county-based EMS.
I'm 32, coming up on three years as a paramedic currently. I'm Chicago-born and raised, but lived out in Arizona three years where I went through paramedic school and worked a combination of IFT and 911 response. Upon moving back to Chicago it was similar, IFT and 911 response and a lot of emergency calls out of facilities, including Cook County Jail. Also have a couple of years of ER experience in there as well.
My question to you all you friendly folks is how often do these counties hire and how competitive is it? From what I've read on my own it appears pretty competitive. In addition, what kind of private companies are there in these regions and how reputable are they, what's the pay like, etc? I am doing my own research but figured I'd pick the brains of the experts in here.
Thank you for any and all assistance. I look forward to hopefully becoming a resident of your beautiful state. I've had about enough of a lot of the nonsense in this city and state, let alone the weather!
It's also worth pointing out this would easily be a year out, nothing immediate.