Metropolitan Area employment

ThatPrivate

Use to be "that private" now I'm "that specialist"
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I am currently an EMT-Basic student. In the Spring I will be continuing my education and taking an EMT-I class. Once I complete the EMT-I course I plan on sitting for my NREMT license and relocating out of my current state. I want to be a 911 emergency EMT/paramedic in a large city. I am from Philadelphia; however, I don't want to work there I want to work in a large city like Philadelphia. Don't get me wrong, but want to work in a place with a high crime rate. I know about 10% of my calls are going to be "real emergency" but coming from the city this is what I'm use to and I believe I can use my skills best in an urban setting. I also want to one day become a tactical paramedic. I have narrowed my search to 5 cities along the East coast. I have researched them and would like some feedback about what it is like to work in the following places.

Washington D.C- I have heard some pretty disturbing things about DC FEMS. I heard the EMT and paramedics were poorly trained. There is little respect for "civilian EMS" by the firefighters and the pay is terrible. I also heard that the protocols are out-of-date and trucks are missing equipment’s or riding around with expired equipment. I want to know if things have gotten better in DC with FEMS. I know every system has their problems but it seems like DC has a lot and I don't want my first EMT career job to be a sh***y one.

Richmond, VA- This is another city that I found was fairly large and I have visited it several times.

Virginia Beach/Norfolk, VA- I want to be close to the beach and this is a large city along the beach. I feel like this would be a good spot for me. However, my research shows me that VA beach is an all-volunteer reuse unit. I don't know how true this is.

Atlanta, GA- The 911 emergency ambulance service is handled by private contracted companies. The one I am interested in is Grady Memorial Hospital. They handle the bulk of the emergency calls.

Baltimore, MD- I don't know much about this city. I picked it because it was close to home and it was a large city.

I have researched if the emergency medical services are run by the county/city or contracted out to a private company. Which one is better to work for?

Any insight about these 5 cities would be greatly appricated.
 

firecoins

IFT Puppet
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What's wrong with Philadelphia?

How about Camden? You'll get hired there quick without moving.
 

DrParasite

The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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How about Camden? You'll get hired there quick without moving.
don't be so sure about that.... working EMS in Camden City is a state job, with state bureaucracy. IIRC, they have 2 trucks 24/7 for the entire city, with a 3rd 12 hour truck, so it's not like they are always hiring (but they are always accepting applications).
 
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firecoins

IFT Puppet
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I thought umdnj ran trucks in Camden.
 

DrParasite

The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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they do, UMDNJ is a state hospital with state (in)efficiency.
 
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ThatPrivate

Use to be "that private" now I'm "that specialist"
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I'm trying to get out the Philadelphia, Northern NJ and Delaware area. If I can't find employment anywhere then I'll go back home and look; but, I don't want to spend most my life in one city. I want to experience something new. I don't have anything against this area (I've live here for 19years) but I just don't want this area be the only area I know.
 

Jon

Administrator
Community Leader
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DC: While they HAVE single-role paramedics, I've not heard of them hiring more recently. So if you get on, you're likely a FF/Medic. And they have many, many issues.

Richmond: Third Service PUM. Supposedly good.

VA Beach / Norfolk. My understanding is it's combination of volunteers (with perhaps some paid staff) and FF/Medics.

Atlanta: Have heard good things about Grady.

Baltimore. Their motto: "Hey, at least we aren't DC FEMS". Medics are theoretically dual-role FF/EMS, but many are hired as medics and only work EMS. Busy system, and department is having budget issues.


Honestly, UMDNJ might be a great system, especially for growing as a BLS provider. IF you get your medic, and want to work for a messed-up urban system, why not just stay in Philly?
 

TransportJockey

Forum Chief
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DC: While they HAVE single-role paramedics, I've not heard of them hiring more recently. So if you get on, you're likely a FF/Medic. And they have many, many issues.

Richmond: Third Service PUM. Supposedly good.

VA Beach / Norfolk. My understanding is it's combination of volunteers (with perhaps some paid staff) and FF/Medics.

Atlanta: Have heard good things about Grady.

Baltimore. Their motto: "Hey, at least we aren't DC FEMS". Medics are theoretically dual-role FF/EMS, but many are hired as medics and only work EMS. Busy system, and department is having budget issues.


Honestly, UMDNJ might be a great system, especially for growing as a BLS provider. IF you get your medic, and want to work for a messed-up urban system, why not just stay in Philly?

After talking to Random about BCFD, I'm tempted on trying it. I've heard a shakeup might be in the works in the upper levels, and they'll gladly pick up any medic they can get their hands on.
From this forum and research, Alexandria VA FD might be a good bet too. Single role medics to start, with the hope of being crosstrained within a year.
And DC FEMS is looking for medics. Right now offering a 7k (I think) hiring bonus.
 

Jon

Administrator
Community Leader
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After talking to Random about BCFD, I'm tempted on trying it. I've heard a shakeup might be in the works in the upper levels, and they'll gladly pick up any medic they can get their hands on.
From this forum and research, Alexandria VA FD might be a good bet too. Single role medics to start, with the hope of being crosstrained within a year.
And DC FEMS is looking for medics. Right now offering a 7k (I think) hiring bonus.

I thought Alexandria was single-role only. If you cross the floor, you're a FF. My understanding was engines are BLS-only.

I didn't realize DC was hiring medics again. Given that they can't seem to have enough to staff ALS ambos around the clock, I'm not surprised.
 
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ThatPrivate

Use to be "that private" now I'm "that specialist"
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I've decided instead of going the intermediate then found a job then work up to paramedic route I'm going straight to paramedic. Does anyone know how the ALS in those cities?
 

Medic87

Forum Probie
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Does anyone know when is the next Philly fire medic class? I filled out an app in Dec and it was approved but it doesn't say on it when is the actual class. If someone has any info please PM me or post a reply.
Thanks
 

RocketMedic

Californian, Lost in Texas
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That's a good plan.
 

throcktharock

Forum Probie
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Richmond is a great system, but they don't recognize the EMT-I certification. You'll be working as an EMT-B until you become a paramedic. It's not a huge city, but you'll get plenty of experience with a busy system.
 

emt11

Forum Lieutenant
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I'm confused here, you said in the beginning that your an EMT-Basic student but your profile say your a Paramedic. Soo, which is it?
 
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ThatPrivate

Use to be "that private" now I'm "that specialist"
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When I made the post I was in EMT basic student. I have since completed the course and have continued my education at Lenoir community college in there paramedic program. I updated my profile and its suppose to say paramedic student. I don't know why it doesn't. My original plan was to go from basic to intermediate find a job and have my employer pay for me to continue my education, however, I was told since I have the time and opportunity to go all the way then do so. When I click on my page it says student but on the post it doesn't show up.
 

Jon

Administrator
Community Leader
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Does anyone know when is the next Philly fire medic class? I filled out an app in Dec and it was approved but it doesn't say on it when is the actual class. If someone has any info please PM me or post a reply.
Thanks

They JUST started a class in late November or so. Lost 2 coworkers to Philly Fire. I don't know when the next one will be... I've heard different things about how long they wait.
 

325Medic

Forum Lieutenant
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They JUST started a class in late November or so. Lost 2 coworkers to Philly Fire. I don't know when the next one will be... I've heard different things about how long they wait.

We lost 1 co-worker @ our squad to P.F.D. and the county in a whole lost maybe 5 or 6.

325.
 
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