Anyone in Houston Fire Department EMS? Got a few questions!

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EMTMoody

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Hi everyone, just joined EMTLIFE, been joining lots of forums and finding out more info, I'm currently a student and on my way to Paramedic School. I was just wondering if anyone out there is HFD, and could maybe give me some info or tips on how the hiring process works? I've looked at the website, and it is a little confusing, and as far as hiring I mean for EMS not fire (though i believe you have to be trained in both) Thanks for any help or info!
 
Welcome!

The process for applying to HFD is a long one and can be very confusing as their recruiters are civilians, not field staff. So some information given isn't always 100% truthful.

If you are seriously looking into HFD, then don't waste your money on Paramedic school, they will put you throught their's at no cost. They will love that you want to be on a box, too many applicants piss and moan about it because they want to be a hose monkey. You are looking at 2 years before you will ever see a fire truck, so remember that should you change your mind.

Now, I have to ask you a question. If you only want to do EMS, why HFD? The pay is alright and yes they still do have a retirement, but other than those two items, do have any other reasoning? I ask only because their EMS operation is horrible. Their level of care is substandard, their equipment minimal, and support is next to non existant. The field philosophy is grab 'em and go. Get in service and go pick up the next one!

If EMS is your passion, you may be sadly dissapointed. There are many great EMS services in the area if you are interested in more info...............

Good luck!
 
Thanks!

Thanks alot for the reply, was hoping there was a Houstonian out there somewhere. To answer your question, EMS is my passion, though I'm interested in FireFighter as well, Paramedic would have to be my first choice. I have heard some good and bad concerning HFD, and having you reply kind of second that motion. What exactly is it you do Flight-LP? Any tips on other agencies? I know AMR is popular one, as well as some others. I'm up in the NorthWest Houston area, in Cypress, and was considering Cypress-Fire Department. But I keep hearing to not do a fire/ems because the equpiment and so-forth is substandard. Any more tips will be greatly appreciated
 
AMR is NOT popular in the Houston area. They do transfers only, have old equipment, poor pay, and poor management. Probably not the path you wish to travel............

Cy-Fair VFD is allright, they are definately on the move and growing.

Other decent options after you get your Paramedic would be Cypress Creek, Montgomery County Hospital District, Harris County ESD #1, and Ft. Bend County EMS. Unless you have an "in" and several years experience under your belt, none of these agencies will hire you as a "B" (in fact a couple don't hire EMT-B's period). If you are looking at the transfer side, then you have over 100 companies to choose from. The problem is that 95% of them are crap. Welcome to Houston EMS!

Your best bet is either HFD, if thats what you truly want, or move on the Paramedic school. EMT-B's are a dime a dozen in Houston with limited opportunities. Honestly, its not worth wasting your time remaining a basic around here.

Any other ??'s, shoot me a PM.
 
im an hfd paramedic, we have one of the highest save ratio in the nation due to our minimalist protocol philosophy. get em to defintive, higher level of care and fast, good paramedics were once good basics!
 
texasmedic777 said:
im an hfd paramedic, we have one of the highest save ratio in the nation due to our minimalist protocol philosophy. get em to defintive, higher level of care and fast, good paramedics were once good basics!
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I'd love to see numbers to back that up. Do you mean cpr save rates?
 
texasmedic777 said:
im an hfd paramedic, we have one of the highest save ratio in the nation due to our minimalist protocol philosophy. get em to defintive, higher level of care and fast, good paramedics were once good basics!
Click to expand...
By save rates, are we talking about cardiac arrest survival? Otherwise, it can be tremendously difficult to track EMS affect on mortality and morbidity and I would be very interested to see your basis for your statement.
 
texasmedic777 said:
im an hfd paramedic, we have one of the highest save ratio in the nation due to our minimalist protocol philosophy. get em to defintive, higher level of care and fast, good paramedics were once good basics!
Click to expand...
I take it everyone gets backboarded too.

How does HFD do on pain management?
 
RocketMedic said:
I take it everyone gets backboarded too.

How does HFD do on pain management?
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Yes, everyone still goes on a board, likely with duct tape.

Pain management philosophy is simple, "get em to definitive, higher level of care and fast".......................
 
"We can't be bothered with medicine TREAT WITH DIESEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
 
Minimalist protocol philosophy? Why even double staff the taxi I mean ambulance? Just one person who had the fastest speeds during your driver training should work perfect
 
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