Im 19 and i have my NREMT-B and the ambulance service wont even let me work in there supplies department until im 20... I have to start applying for a non-emergency agency and even then i cant do a whole lot. I understand its for insurance reasons but still i am a emt im not some punk kid. Fire looks better and better everyday :huh::sad:
why does age matter so much?
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The service I started with you had to be 21. It was due to auto insurance as well as liability.
DesertMedic66
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Insurance reasons.
Some people don't consider you an adult once you turn 18.
Alot of people say age corresponds with maturity.
Some people don't consider you an adult once you turn 18.
Alot of people say age corresponds with maturity.
I'm 18 and always found the age thing to be pretty silly. I know insurance dictates most of it.
In my town the EMS service is staffed and organzied entirely by High School students. CT state law allows you to get you EMR at 14, EMT-B at 16, and EMT-I at 18. So you begin the process the summer before your freshman year and gradually work your way up the ranks. By the time you're 15 you're riding on the ambulance dealing with equipment and learning and by 17 or 18 you're a crew chief or a driver. Its an awesome system that does amazing things both for the community and those who take part in it.
Its odd to think of the shrimpy 16 year old kids I know working nasty mvas on the side of I-95 or working a code patient but they do an amazing job and really show that age shouldn't be a factor.
More info about the service can be found on wikipedia or on their website.
In my town the EMS service is staffed and organzied entirely by High School students. CT state law allows you to get you EMR at 14, EMT-B at 16, and EMT-I at 18. So you begin the process the summer before your freshman year and gradually work your way up the ranks. By the time you're 15 you're riding on the ambulance dealing with equipment and learning and by 17 or 18 you're a crew chief or a driver. Its an awesome system that does amazing things both for the community and those who take part in it.
Its odd to think of the shrimpy 16 year old kids I know working nasty mvas on the side of I-95 or working a code patient but they do an amazing job and really show that age shouldn't be a factor.
More info about the service can be found on wikipedia or on their website.
When your <21 it always seems like age makes no difference, you're convinced that you are no different than others, you can do the job, you're mature, etc. Then you get older. Then you look at vehicle accident statistics. Then you begin to get life experience, and understand more about the situations going on around you. I'm just beginning to understand this. I started young, and don't regret it, and appreciate bosses for giving me the chances they have, but I also realize how utterly naive and dumb I was when I started, and how I still am in some ways.
It seems the supply department job you are applying for requires you to drive vehicles-- which the company's insurance policy mandates you be over a certain age.
It seems the supply department job you are applying for requires you to drive vehicles-- which the company's insurance policy mandates you be over a certain age.
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It's amazing how this happens, doesn't it?
When I was younger, I actually saw this from both point of views. There were times where I thought I was the king of the world, and now looking back on it, I didn't know crap. Then there was the time I was asked to apply for shift command position and I was like, "Guys, I'm in my early 20's. There's no way I'm ready for this." Now, I probably could have done it just fine.
Advice: listen to your elders. They have the the time, experience and scars to know what's best.
Generally speaking, American youth have a poor work ethic. There's an unwillingness to work nights, weekends and holidays, or on a sunny beach day. If the work is too tedious, they'll leave after a few weeks or months, or do as little as necessary to get by without being fired. Employers also know that teenage employees are not as dependent on the salary as an older employee, so they may not take the job as seriously.
I see it in EMS where the young employees complain about the late jobs, the schedule, lack of meal breaks, the monotony, etc, and they have three minutes on the job, their first job at that.
Basically, if the employer chooses to hire olde remployees, they hope to get a more stable worker who will do their job more effectively, and better appreciate the opportunity. This is a generalization, of course, but this wouldn't be a common practice if it wasn't true enough of the time.
I see it in EMS where the young employees complain about the late jobs, the schedule, lack of meal breaks, the monotony, etc, and they have three minutes on the job, their first job at that.
Basically, if the employer chooses to hire olde remployees, they hope to get a more stable worker who will do their job more effectively, and better appreciate the opportunity. This is a generalization, of course, but this wouldn't be a common practice if it wasn't true enough of the time.
Unfortunately i would have to agree with you. I know im going to get ripped on but im only 16. I just finished my class and waiting to take the state exam. Most of the people in my high school cant keep a job not even talking about volunteering. I volunteer because i enjoy helping people and i would give up my whole weekend if i am needed and already have. I just see being a EMT as a stepping stone on my way to med school. (Well at least i hope.
)
KyleG
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I guess I lucked out I started my EMT-B Class at the Age of 20 and Finished it 21.
I wouldnt say lucked out. Just waited longer.
Sasha
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I think they'd go for young healthy employees not the older ones with back and knee issues, with CAD and hyperlipidemia who are going to drop dead on the job
I seriously lol'd
Generally young people have a poor attitude when it comes to well, everything and this had been a major problem.with the preference to move ambulance education into university over the vocational training of older, more life experienced people
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Quoted for truth.
I'm 22 now. I wouldn't let my 18 year old personality anywhere near a patient.
I'm sorry to say it but our generation as done a great job of creating a terrible view of ourselves.
It's more than just driving, it can be accountability too. You have access to meds, people's houses, secured areas in buildings and our generation has not proven itself to be trustworthy with this type of responsibility.
I know it sucks dude, believe me, I was there. Don't let it discourage you.
Agreed
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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(Tried to rent a car if you are 20 y/o lately?).
There are things you cannot know at age 20 and no one can give you. You will need to encounter them, hopefully with some warning, but also with partners and mentors. The biggest is how you will respond to certain situations, and the biggest is intelligently following protocols.
An intelligent 20 y/o could talk his/her way into a job and pass paper exams, but the majority would not succeed or would yield such low quality service until they gain experience that it would hurt operations. You can't filter them out, but you can just make an across-the-board rule and lower the chance your new guy/gal will be unprepared.
Not saying all younger folks are nincompoops. There are many operable firefighters and soldiers in the 17-21 range (in other countries, much younger than that), there are kids that age raising siblings, but not in the numbers and density required to reliably staff a service.
As for a rescue service entirely made up of HS students, I do not believe it. Insurance is an absolute stopper. I believe a volunteer service staffed heavily with people that age is not impossible, if it is heavily laced with older heads, but managing turnover in a group of that age would be a nightmare.
There are things you cannot know at age 20 and no one can give you. You will need to encounter them, hopefully with some warning, but also with partners and mentors. The biggest is how you will respond to certain situations, and the biggest is intelligently following protocols.
An intelligent 20 y/o could talk his/her way into a job and pass paper exams, but the majority would not succeed or would yield such low quality service until they gain experience that it would hurt operations. You can't filter them out, but you can just make an across-the-board rule and lower the chance your new guy/gal will be unprepared.
Not saying all younger folks are nincompoops. There are many operable firefighters and soldiers in the 17-21 range (in other countries, much younger than that), there are kids that age raising siblings, but not in the numbers and density required to reliably staff a service.
As for a rescue service entirely made up of HS students, I do not believe it. Insurance is an absolute stopper. I believe a volunteer service staffed heavily with people that age is not impossible, if it is heavily laced with older heads, but managing turnover in a group of that age would be a nightmare.
You can doubt me all you want but its true and is a system we've been using for 40 years. They have 3 ambulances and they are all staffed entirely by HS students who are dispatched from their base. There is a flycar that an EMT-I (a community volunteer) keeps at their house. The flycar meets the ambulance at the calls and work with the HS crew chief to direct the operation. Other than that the only adults are the upper management of the organization and the crew which staffs the 1st response ambulance during the school day.
As far as turnover goes they have a well though-out and implemented system that begins when the student is 14 and ends when they are 18 and out of college. Its not that huge of a problem because they know exactly how long they have kids for and they have a system in place to work around it.
Its an amazing service run by a group of supremely dedicated kids. I have 16 year old friends who dedicate 30+ hours a week to the service and 18 year old kids who regularly work 48+ hours a week between being on duty and dealing with their other post responsibilities.
mycrofft
Still crazy but elsewhere
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I was referring to every position from Chief on down to bumper wiper when I wrote "entirely". How can you get insurance for people that young? Or has that ever been put to the test?
The is very interesting.
The is very interesting.
adamjh3
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Don't get too discouraged. Depending on what company you get on with you might be able to find a solid IFT job somewhere. I started working on an ambulance at 18, got driver certified shortly after I turned 19, and now I'm a crew chief of a station of around 10 employees at 20, and I'll be wrapping up the didactic portion of medic school within a couple weeks of turning 21.
That said, there's a 19 year old at my station that (against my reccomendation) passed his FTO time because he's very book smart, however I wouldn't let him anywhere near my family, because he acts his age all the time. He carries himself like a kid, not a confident, competent adult.
Are there times when I act like the kid I know I am? You betchya. Just remember, you are what you do when it counts.
That said, there's a 19 year old at my station that (against my reccomendation) passed his FTO time because he's very book smart, however I wouldn't let him anywhere near my family, because he acts his age all the time. He carries himself like a kid, not a confident, competent adult.
Are there times when I act like the kid I know I am? You betchya. Just remember, you are what you do when it counts.
I started as an EMT at 18, turned 21 during Medic school. I came from a Military family, so discipline and hard work were intilled in me. That being said, a lot of the young basics coming in did not show the same drive or mature attitude. I was promoted to FTO and manager of supply within 4 months.