Age requirements for FR, and EMT-B

New Jersey spelled out what equipment minors (with their parents' signature) can be near since they do allow for those under 18 to take the class but can not certify until 18.

4. Minors shall not be permitted to do the following in classes or after certification until they reach the age of 18

http://www.state.nj.us/health/ems/documents/njac840ar.pdf

i. Operate power-driven machinery including, but not limited to, fire
apparatus, MAVs, BLS ambulances, MICUs, SCTUs and/or AMUs;
ii. Oil, wipe or clean any machinery in motion, inclusive of rescue tools;
iii. Utilize any machine that grinds, buffs, or polishes;
iv. Operate any hoisting equipment, inclusive of chain and cable come-a-
longs;
v. Utilize any torch device utilized to heat, melt or cut metals, including
rescue torches; or
vi. Operate and/or maintain any high-pressure hydraulic tool or air bag.

(c) No student shall be:
1. Exposed to injurious quantities of any toxic or noxious dust, gases, vapors
and/or fumes; or
2. Exposed to, or allowed to participate in, direct firefighting operations.
Click to expand...
 
Texas rules

In Texas you can begin at any age, however the Texas programs end with NREMT certification. You can't take the NREMT test till you are 18. I got my EMT 1 week after my 18th birthday and my Paramedic one month before my 19th. I was actually 17 years old when I started Paramedic school. They let me start contingent on my passing the State Test. This was back in 1985. Now Texas uses the NREMT exam, but the rules governing entrance into a program are the same. You would just have to find a program that will work with you. Try PERCOM they are known for working with students to find a way to get the job done. As far as being to young to handle the crap this job throws at you. I am one of the few who can tell you from the been there done that at a young age. It is tough and it depends on the individual. It also depends on where you work when you get certified. Major metropolitian EMS is hazardous to anyone's mental health. But Rural and suburban work is not that bad. Get used to the fact that patients die. Only on TV do the medics revive every code. Learn to love old people, that will be the bulk of your patients. And if you think you are going to get rich doing this, Well then you already have mental health issues.
 
california you can take the course at 17 but nat reg requires you be 18. I think SD fire is you gotta be 21 by the end of academy. All the places in san diego i've applied haven't mentioned anything about having to be a certain age to drive/opperate and ambulance or anything.
 
for California you just have to sign up at the class and pay and then your in EMT class. no tests to get in and you dont have to already have a job lined up. you get your cards when you pass the class. and with the whole age thing, I think it all depends on the person really. i started running 911 calls with the Fire Department at the age of 14. i saw alot of stuff and im fine (or at least in my opinion im fine) and no i was not just watching on the calls. i would be pumping chest and doing everything the medic told me to do (some of it i shouldnt have done. and none of it i was formally trained on.). but then i also know of 35 year old males who would get freaked out on calls (one of our fire/medics). So for my opinion it depends on the person and how mature they are.
 
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