EMT-curious n00b with questions

Chris Reinhardt

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Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm deciding when and where to take the plunge on EMT with the hopes of becoming a paramedic in rural/back country. Ultimately, I'm interested in SAR. This is my mid-life crisis and I pulled the altruistic card and ultimately feel drawn to serve my community in a medical capacity. (Will still burn money, won't have the sports car or round-the-world trip.)

I'm getting my WFR from NOLS this month after having caught the bug in a WAFA class last year.

Lots of questions from reading the boards:

1. Lots of digs on LA in terms of being an EMT in these boards, but seems to be okay schooling, right? Why is LA not a great place to work? (I just moved away from LA and could see myself back in the surrounding area - maybe not LA County - at some point.)

2. The EMT basic I'm considering is UCLA's accelerated program. I have read a lot of advice here that this would be the only course people would recommend taking accelerated. Everything else, slow down for. Still true?

3. If I'm planning to work in Colorado's back country, is there any compelling reason to make sure I start my training in this state? The reason I'm thinking UCLA is a) it's the first available accelerated basic class I can take that is open, and if I continue on b) the paramedic school seems to have some clout if I'm hoping to advance into more specific lines of work like HEMS etc. Is THAT true?

Thanks for any input - the boards are really informative when they're not snarky. :)
 

Jdog

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Reasons not to work in LA if you can avoid it:
  • Terrible pay compared to cost of living. Most EMTs make around 10.50-11.50/hr. Rent for a one bed room apartment runs about $1600 and studio around $1200.
  • Fire runs the show for 911. You are basically a gurney pusher for fire.
  • Limited scope of practice. For example: EMTs can't check blood sugars without a paramedic holding their hand.
As far as UCLA goes, they have a good pprogram as far as I've heard but they are probably the most expensive in the region.
 
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Chris Reinhardt

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Thanks for the info. In doing my research here in Denver, the Denver Fire Department strongly recommended going through schooling where I intend to be hired, so I'm reconsidering UCLA EMT for that reason. They said Denver Health has a fantastic program...
 

Summit

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If you want to provide backcountry medical care, I wouldn't try work for a Denver FD, nor assume that you could easily get on with one. Those are hyper competitive urban systems for people who want to be career urban firefighters or fire medics.

Also, in general, don't expect to make a living in SAR. SAR is 99% volunteer and low volume and most SAR teams are BLS. The few paid SAR jobs are doing non-SAR 95% of the time.
 

Tigger

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Where you get your EMT education only matters in terms of networking. But really as a new EMT, there is a limit to how far that will get you.

As said, there are few if any positions in which you're primary job is SAR. Most SAR programs are volunteer, and those that are paid usually have other responsibilities (law enforcement ranger, etc). My ambulance district has something around 300 square miles of heavily recreated national forest. I doubt we run more than 50 backcountry related calls each year. They're fun and we prepare for them, but isn't exactly a focus.
 

EpiEMS

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If you're willing to travel, there are plenty of excellent EMT/Wilderness Medicine programs.
I took my original EMT course in a WEMT course at SOLO. Closer to you (mountain West & West Coast), you could look into NOLS's course (especially considering you already took one from them).

Any EMT program is going to be fine, as long as you read the textbook and practice your skills. Obviously, a better taught program is preferable, but it's really read and recite/memorize and perform skills.

For EMT level practice, stay away from the LA area, without a doubt.

Oregon and Washington State seem to have some decent systems/scopes/programs. Heck, I think Oregon goes as far as requiring - at minimum - an associate's degree to be a paramedic.
 
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