Fire or medic?!

Kamischke

Kamischke

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So originally my goal was to become an emt, then go to medic school and then think about fire later on (from what i've heard, its easier to get into fire as a medic?)
i could be totally wrong right now though so im throwing this question out

what would be wiser for me in the long run?
Im working as a part time emt right now.
should i take fire classes and try to get into the academy as an emt? or just commit to working full time as an emt until i can go to paramedic school?

im not suuure

from what i've heard from one of my partners, he said i should finish my medic stuff then look into fire because they can "cross-train" me to be a firefighter once im a medic?

again, im clueless here and just trying to see where i can take this
 
Don't become a firefighter just because some dudes told you it's easier to get a job that way. Do it only if you really want to, and think you'd be good at it.

Just about every major fire department around now runs EMS and Fire combined, and 90% from what I've seen require your 240 (or higher) cert as well as your Paramedic card. But unless you really want to do firefighting, I'd stick to EMS. $0.02
 
Each FD is picky, most of the time if you are a medic, they'll want you due to your ALS cert. Other depts dont mind if your BLS or ALS. I say check with which ever FD you want to work for and see what they run ie; fire only or fire/ems.
 
I've been in EMS a long time, and am just now getting into firefighting because the department I want to work with is now a combination department.

I'm a motivated learner, and I think I can do a good job as a firefighter. Taking it completely seriously, I can say that this is not difficult at all. It's physically difficult work, but anyone can learn it.

And it's really fun.
 
Around here you have to be a medic to get hired at a Fire department and they will send you through the fire academy as a priority recruit if you are not already a FF. The reason that is considered easier is due to the way the fire academy runs its selection processes. It is done by a lottery, so basically you have to keep applying until you get randomly picked for a spot (which happens 3 times a year with 25 spots each time. With usually around 200 people applying), however if a fire department hires you, you get a spot in the next class automatically.

Having said that, most fire departments have medic only personal, so you can be just a medic and still work for a fire department.
 
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It's all up to what you want. You dont want to be in a job that you hate (not saying you will hate it.). Do you want to become a firefighter or are you thinking about it because someone told you? EMS takes a certain type of person to like the job. It's the same way with fire.

FDs are widely different. In my area one you get your medic then they will train you for the firefighting side. But in my area all firefighters are at least EMT-Bs. If your are an EMT-B then you have to do fire classes and the academy on your own dime and your own time. Alot of people don't like fire because of some of the traditions and "unwritten rules".
 
Hmmm alright thanks
And no its not something I wanna do cuz I heard about but I've wanted to be a FF for long time. That introduced me to ems and I pretty much fell in love.
Having said that I didn't want to stop here or stop at medic but keep pursuing fire so I can do both. Pretty much I didn't know about FF paramedics. Once I learned about that, its something I've been pursuing but jusg trying to figure out the best way to get there.

Definitely going to look into my local FD more
Thanks for the tips!
 
Kamischke said:
Hmmm alright thanks
And no its not something I wanna do cuz I heard about but I've wanted to be a FF for long time. That introduced me to ems and I pretty much fell in love.
Having said that I didn't want to stop here or stop at medic but keep pursuing fire so I can do both. Pretty much I didn't know about FF paramedics. Once I learned about that, its something I've been pursuing but jusg trying to figure out the best way to get there.

Definitely going to look into my local FD more
Thanks for the tips!
Click to expand...

Defiantly do your local. Mist fire departments in this area are state departments so things probably run alot differently.
 
Kamischke said:
Hmmm alright thanks
And no its not something I wanna do cuz I heard about but I've wanted to be a FF for long time. That introduced me to ems and I pretty much fell in love.
Having said that I didn't want to stop here or stop at medic but keep pursuing fire so I can do both. Pretty much I didn't know about FF paramedics. Once I learned about that, its something I've been pursuing but jusg trying to figure out the best way to get there.

Definitely going to look into my local FD more
Thanks for the tips!
Click to expand...

Where in So Cal are you? Jobs down here are few and far between, even with a P- card. The great badge giveaway(as my preceptor called it) has been over for awhile now.
 
firefite said:
Defiantly do your local. Mist fire departments in this area are state departments so things probably run alot differently.
Click to expand...

There are also many Indian nation agencies as well. Many do not require the P card, although you need to have gone through an academy.
 
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