Central Floridian seeks advice

[FutureRescue]

Hey guys,

So basically the story looks something like this: I am 23 years old from Windermere, FL. I have found a career school called Central Florida Fire Academy. I was wondering if anyone out there has attended or heard of it? I am interested in enrolling in the April 2011 course but wasn't sure if there was anything I needed to do ahead of time, such as getting CPR certified or if they do that in the course? And also does anyone have any recommendations on good books for reading to get a little educated beforehand? Basically I going to EMT and hopefully paramedic after that. Thanks for any help and advice!

 

[FutureRescue]

Haha

Ok so maybe I am being too specific. What can someone tell me about the recommended physical preparation and anything worth reading before school begins? I want to learn as much as possible and be prepared.

 

[BLSBoy]

CFFA is one of the BEST Fire Academy's in the state. I can not vouch for their EMS programs, but I have attended many continuing Ed classess for Fire at CFFA, and will be back in Feb for Orlando Fire Conference.

Print this out, and follow it like it's your new bible.


Cause it is.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...zbNpJq&sig=AHIEtbSMB_ex8rMnkefc6GtfqE4aP8f2QA

 

[FutureRescue]

Awsome

Thank you so much. Are there any books or guides that anyone would recommend? I want to prepare for before the class starts.

 

[BLSBoy]

Do you know what books you will be using yet?

 

[FutureRescue]

Prehospital Emergency Care, 9th edition. It is included in the tuition so I don't want to buy it on my own. But do you know of any other good books or textbooks I could read in the meantime?

 

[BLSBoy]

See if there is a study guide included, or you need to buy that on your own, or even better, you can pick up your textbooks early.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me as well.

 

[Sasha]

Run. Far far away. That's my advice. There are NO jobs in Florida. You get hundreds of people showing up for one spot, or you get stuck at a company that sends you to pick up out of a hospital that has an active bomb threat and tells you to try and get around the police and then just wait for them to clear it to pick up your patient going home. True story.

Many in Florida spend 2 years looking for a fire job, many don't ever get one in the area. People are driving hours to find work and still not finding it.

Be prepared to move.

 

[BLSBoy]

Sasha my love, how are you!? Still in the area? I got hired over in Hillsborough.
You do have good advice. Something like 40% or so (from what I was told, how true it is, idk) of those that go through the academy do NOT make it. When I was in medic school, I met lots of certified FireMedics. They were cashiers, waiters, tellers and delivery boys because the jobs just are not there.

You need to be the top of the class in smarts, in physically excellent shape, and have common sense to get hired in Fla. There are HUNDREDS applying for each job, so be on your game!

I was told at our new hire/promotional ceremony that over 800 applied for HCFR last year alone. Less then 60 were hired.

You do the math.

Best of luck bro. If you need help, reach out.

Sasha, good to (see) you again!

 

[Sasha]

I'm moving to Greenville SC on Tuesday with my fiancee.

Right now I'm still in Orlando. One of my partners told me 300 showed up for his FD for one position. I don't remember where he was but it was a little podunk town.

Most of those who "do" make it simply volunteer forever and never land a paid, actual paid, not paid per call job.

There are too many firefighters, not enough jobs. They're also bank rupting themselves.

For awhile they were forcing everyone to become medics, now they don't have the funding to pay them all. That was Oviedo Fire Department that was having the whole paying problem I think.

 

[FutureRescue]

That doesn't sound good at all. I was excited and enthusiastic but now I am thinking I am making a mistake?

 

[Sasha]

That doesn't sound good at all. I was excited and enthusiastic but now I am thinking I am making a mistake?

I hate to crush your dreams, but you really are. I know someone who went into bankruptcy, gave up his very good paying job even when his family was telling him no, to pursue his dream of firefighting.

He's recently got his car repossesed, he, his wife, and their two children live with his parents, and his only two jobs are a pay per call service 2 hours away, and a 9/hr crappy IFT company.

If you really want to do EMT/Medic move somewhere else, unless you're satisfied breaking your back for 9/hr (And that's high for the area.) and volunteering for years.

 

[FutureRescue]

I am hoping to move up north, either MA or NY. I was hoping that becoming an EMT would help me find a good job up north. Would I be wrong?

 

[BLSBoy]

And do what up there?
Fire/EMS? Forget it. I moved (back) to Fla from Jersey. All they are going up north is laying off.

 

[FutureRescue]

Hmm great. I was told the field up north in NY is doing well right now. UGH. Here is a thought. If I went to Valencia for the two year EMT/Paramedic degree to get the better education and wait for the economy to possibly pick up then?

 

[BLSBoy]

Do you have a backup plan?
Why do you wanna get into Fire/EMS?
How strong/tough/smart/common sense smart are you?

 

[TransportJockey]

Hmm great. I was told the field up north in NY is doing well right now. UGH. Here is a thought. If I went to Valencia for the two year EMT/Paramedic degree to get the better education and wait for the economy to possibly pick up then?

Part of your problem is that the market in most places is oversaturated with EMTs and Paramedics altogether. A lot of people wanted to make a decent amount of money with little to no college so they decided they'd be firefighters or medics

 

[FutureRescue]

I don't have a full backup plan. My reason is because I wanted to get into the medical field but not work in an office or hospital setting. I would prefer to be an EMT/Paramedic because I want the ambulance job so I can move around from place to place and still be able to provide help and assistance to people who are in need. I am the kind of person where if someone is injured or sick I want to help. If I had the medical training I could do it.

 

[Sasha]

I am the kind of person where if someone is injured or sick I want to help.

Not so much as a paramedic. It's very humbling, frightening and frustrating when you get a very sick patient, and realize that what needs to be done to help them is beyond your skill set and education.

 

[FutureRescue]

Understood. I have a few family members who are emts and live in NY and MA. However, that is the issue lol. I am the only one who lives in FL. I have decided this is what I want to do, and who knows, maybe it could push me towards RN. It opens a whole new can of worms. So should I get my associates in EMT/Paramedic or just do the for academy? I am kind of leaning towards the degree for the better education.