I was offered a job as a FDNY medic a few years ago but I went to work for a hospital based ems system due to the starting pay being much higher for me. The top out pay would have been higher for FDNY but in the beginning you get mandated a lot to stay and can get jerked around. I know people that hated it in FDNY and LOVED it there. It was always something I wanted to do, but when it came down to it, the almighty $$$$ won. YEs you are correct that FDNY EMS is the ******* step child and they get no respect, but it still is a good job, if you don't mind a lot of politics. There are tests that you can take to cross over to FDNY firefighter, and I think it's a min of 2 years on EMS and you have to be picked to do it, but there is a possibility. FDNY EMS will also, if you are picked to put you through medic school. They will pay you regular paycheck to go to class and then upgrade you to an ALS bus after you pass. Again, it's not a bad job, it just wasn't for me at the time. Hope this helps