Any EMT-B's out there over 50?

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dstevens58

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A little bit about me, my first career was a Navy Hospital Corpsman (13 years); then a police department employee (20 years in dispatch, records, police reserve officer, administration and computer repair). I retired from that and moved back to my home town. I've put in a year in an educational environment repairing their computers.

My problem (none really). I recently graduated EMT-B school and am serving at the local volunteer Fire Department. I'm considering paramedic school and would love to see it pan out into a paying career move.

I'm just a little leery of entering paramedic school at 53 years of age, but we have an active EMT-B here that is 77 and still putting young guys to shame. I'm proceeding on, but just what is the job market out there for paramedics in Northeast Ohio?
 
a couple of 50 plus gentlemen were in my medic class. I know one is indeed working as a medic. I lost track of the other guy.
 
I worked with a 53-year-old medical student once. She will probably be 60+ before she's finished with school and residency. I also had a 50-60 year old in my EMT class. He did very well (probably in better shape than most of the 20-something year old wannabe firefighter guys in our class)

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There are 2 people in my medic class that are in their late 40's. I don't see it really being a problem unless someone has problems with their back, knees, etc.
 
I went to school with a guy in his 60s.

Edit: Oh, and he did pass and worked for about 10 more years.
 
I encounter plenty of medic students who are in their 50s. I have worked with many medics in their 50s and some in their 60s. I know of a medic who is 73 and has been working as a medic since the 70s.
 
One of my supervisors is over 60, he claims to be the longest continually certified paramedic in LA county (not saying I don't believe him, I just don't know how that could be verified). I worked with him on a BLS rig once, great guy, very charismatic, and can lift more than some of the 20-something people I work with.

EDIT: With your military and LE experience, I'd probably hire you over a lot of people I've seen interview.
 
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adamjh3 said:
One of my supervisors is over 60, he claims to be the longest continually certified paramedic in LA county (not saying I don't believe him, I just don't know how that could be verified). I worked with him on a BLS rig once, great guy, very charismatic, and can lift more than some of the 20-something people I work with.

EDIT: With your military and LE experience, I'd probably hire you over a lot of people I've seen interview.
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Thank you for your comments. I'm forging ahead with my application to paramedic school. Unfortunately, I don't see myself relocating back to California or I would take you up on the job offer.
 
I'm 21, and there's a group of 4 of us from our county that will be carpooling to medic school. One is early thirties, one is late thirties, and the other is over 60. If you are in the health to do it, why not. I know several medics over 50, and basics nearing 50. They function just fine.
 
mct601 said:
I'm 21, and there's a group of 4 of us from our county that will be carpooling to medic school. One is early thirties, one is late thirties, and the other is over 60. If you are in the health to do it, why not. I know several medics over 50, and basics nearing 50. They function just fine.
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Thanks. I was just having a conversation with one of the guys from the fire station yesterday and got me thinking. Am I doing this for a "job" or doing EMS because I love it?

At this point, I love EMS, always have and always will, through the good and the bad, it makes me feel good to give of my skills and talents. So, I'm continuing on in school and working at my volunteer fire department. If it leads to a paying job, what can be greater than getting paid for what you love?
 
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