DrParasite
The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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I have 0 issues with 16-year-old EMTs... I was in EMT school at 16, credentialed at 17, and running calls independently at 18. Now, 16 year old paramedics? I'm a little hesitant, especially if they haven't completed college-level A&P 1 and 2... and paramedic school is different from EMT school.
That being said, 16-year-olds should be in school. If they want to play on the ambulance, or the fire truck, awesome, but not during school hours. Nights and weekends sure. Think of it this way: you can hang out at the mall (yes, they do still exist), experiment with drugs and/or alcohol, do stupid stuff that will get them hurt or arrested... or learn how to become fire or EMS personnel. But junior members can supplement adults, not replace them; if you don't have enough volunteers, the government needs to allocate more funding for EMS resources.
That being said, 16-year-olds should be in school. If they want to play on the ambulance, or the fire truck, awesome, but not during school hours. Nights and weekends sure. Think of it this way: you can hang out at the mall (yes, they do still exist), experiment with drugs and/or alcohol, do stupid stuff that will get them hurt or arrested... or learn how to become fire or EMS personnel. But junior members can supplement adults, not replace them; if you don't have enough volunteers, the government needs to allocate more funding for EMS resources.