Cross-trained as FF for paramedic job?

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lateralligator

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So, it looks like paramedic jobs in the township where I live require cross-training in FF. Just from roaming around EMTLife, it looks like this is typical? Am I right?

And these are considered the "good" jobs, as in higher salaries, etc?

I hadn't planned to become a firefighter. :blush:

~~I know the notion of what qualifies as a "good" job is a matter of opinion~~
 
I wouldn't call it typical, but it is common depending on where you live. You will see the best pay and benefits come out of fire departments, however these jobs are also ridiculously hard to get as you have to compete with tons of people who just got their paramedic to ride the engine as well as paramedics looking for benefits.

There are some great paying municipal departments that are EMS only, however they are rare and you may have to move to work there. And even these places don't typically measure up to FD pay/benefits. It's hard to make generalizations though as there are places where the reverse of all of the above is true.

I can't tell you which option is right for you you'll just have to look in your area or around the country for places you would like to work and try your best to score a good job (which is surprisingly difficult for paramedics and near impossible for EMTs).
 
In Florida this seems to be the rule. There are EMS only systems, but they top out around $12 - $14/hr. As a paramedic on a fire department, you will make close to double if not more. Of course since you are on the fire department, you are expected to perform firefighting duties. I know in other states they have medics that function as only medics on the fire department, but generally not here.
 
Thanks!

OK, I've got my pencil....where are the good jobs exactly?? :P

No kids, no significant other. That will make it a bit easier for me, I suppose, assuming that I havent acquired either of those things by the time I finish my education. Ha. One never knows....
 
med51fl said:
In Florida this seems to be the rule. There are EMS only systems, but they top out around $12 - $14/hr. As a paramedic on a fire department, you will make close to double if not more. Of course since you are on the fire department, you are expected to perform firefighting duties. I know in other states they have medics that function as only medics on the fire department, but generally not here.
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In all seriousness, I have major doubts about approaching firefighter training at 48....I'm an able-bodied and healthy female, but still--I'd be 50-something by the time I finished up FF and paramedic training. What FD is going to hire me in such a competitive environment?? Yes, I do have life/work experience galore and greater maturity than a younger applicant, but the whole fire department thing is intimidating for some reason. Maybe it should be.
 
lateralligator said:
Thanks!

OK, I've got my pencil....where are the good jobs exactly?? :P

No kids, no significant other. That will make it a bit easier for me, I suppose, assuming that I havent acquired either of those things by the time I finish my education. Ha. One never knows....
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go to firehouse.com start learning how to take a fire department test and the long process that goes along with it. Your looking at over a year sometimes from start to finish in a hiring process with a big city department.
 
Getting started on a FF career at 48 is going to be an uphill battle. Its not impossible, but there are some departments who dont like to hire anyone over 35. Thats not the norm, but they are out there.

I would contact someone with a nearby FD and ask some questions, most people are happy to help.

FF training is very physically demanding so if you arent in good shape you may have to explore other options.
 
Not to be a downer but if you really are in the Cincinnati area I wouldn't waste too much time. None of the full time departments in this area will hire a 48 year old rookie. Dayton Fire is the only department I know of in this area that has a civilian medic program, but the pay is significantly less, and no benefits or minimal benefits. Now the private services will hire you as a medic before you can blink, but again, significantly less pay and few/no benefits.
 
lateralligator said:
Why not?
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Once the money is spent training a FF, waiting for them to complete 12-24 months probation, etc, will it be worth the city's investment for the person pushing 50 to be just entering their department? Not saying that it's always right, but it's the reality of the situation.
 
HiVis said:
Once the money is spent training a FF, waiting for them to complete 12-24 months probation, etc, will it be worth the city's investment for the person pushing 50 to be just entering their department? Not saying that it's always right, but it's the reality of the situation.
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This. There are literately hundreds of 20-something applicants for every full time gig in this area that a department can get a full 25-30 years for a 6 month training investment.
 
My classmate's mom got a call back from San Francisco Fire Department after her CPAT at 56. She didn't follow up, just did it to see if she could make it. With that said who knows if they would hire her but it does show that some departments are willing. Unfortunately most will not be.
 
Ok, thanks everyone. It makes sense.

Based on what I've read in other threads, I would not be facing the same wall in pursuit of a strictly EMS position...right? Just double-ok triple-checking.
 
Metro fire is not the only path one can take. There are also private/industrial fire agencies that hire FF/EMT.
 
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