Does your department allow ride alongs?

babygirl2882

babygirl2882

Forum Captain
Messages
273
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I was just wondering if your towns EMT or Fire Departments allow ride alongs. I know my does (I've done my fair share) and if they do whats the age limit?

Also do you like it when you have a high school student or even college student ride with you? Is it annoying...or more interesting for you.

Thanks :D
 
Moved to appropriate forum.

And no, my department does not allow ride alongs...kind of hard to schedule with a vollie agency.
 
No, only way is with pre-scheduled clinicals through an approved educational agency. We have strict requirements including about 6 vaccinations, and documented immunizations, back-ground check, liability insurance, HIPPA class, etc..

R/r 911
 
As a private service, we allow clinical students to ride along. Every so often we'll have a local member of the city council ride along in our First Responder SUV, but that's about it.

We once had a local council member that wanted to do a ride-along, and the company happily obliged. The Paramedic was sure to take the guest along the bumpiest road ensuring maximum airtime when they hit those big Michigan potholes. You've never seen a road fixed so quickly!
 
The only ride-alongs that we have are students doing their clinicals through the hospital program with whom we have a contract.
 
wow interesting...I live in a medium small town with 2 stations (there Ems/fire stations) and they have no problem with it. I was was asking because I wanted to do more ride alongs in a larger city but wasn't sure if they would let me (I'm a high school student) Thanks for the info!
 
Our squad allows ride-alongs, but like the others, the person must be a student, a prospective member, at least 18, and have completed certain requirements in class.
 
Our agency allows it. Observer ride-alongs are open to anyone who signs a waiver & has a CPR card. Most of our "3rds" are EMT students, though, & I like having them along as long as they're helpful & interested in what's going on.
 
babygirl2882 said:
Also do you like it when you have a high school student or even college student ride with you? Is it annoying...or more interesting for you.

Thanks :D
Click to expand...

Depends entirely on the student.
 
I know that York Region (the area I live in) does not allow student ride-alongs anymore (think it was because of insurance concerns or something, and Toronto EMS does not any more as of last year (heard it was because of some college students acting unprofessionally). Hopefully starting in September, I'll be doing my coop with Peel Region EMS (the closest I have a shot at--about a 2 hour one-way commute via public transit). The commute will be a bit of a pain in the rectum, but will definately be worth it *is an over-enthusiastic n00b* :P. I'm really excited for this opportunity!
 
ride alongs

My 2 former agencies both had programs (1 volly/1paid FD). I had ride alongs as observers/dept medic students/and medic interns from the local college. I was a FTI (field training instructor), and I always loved having students, especially if i could get one assigned directly to me. It keeps you fresh, by teaching /answering questions on the roll, and I found makes the time in between calls more enjoyable as i was always quizzing them. Which would lead to them searching out some rare question to ask me, and if i didnt know it, id admit it, and WE would go get the answer as a team. Id always start out with 2 major rules before we hit the street though, and that is " There is NO dumb or stupid question, only the one not asked", and to ME " I dont know" is not a wrong answer, because within the next hour, im going to make sure you know everything about the "topic" down to cellular physiology, inside and out. In my 12 years civilian EMS I never had any complaints from my students, with exception that after a while, most of them wanted to ride with me when i was on shift, and I was only allowed 1 student on the box. On off days id even teach at my house if they wanted me to. Can't wait to get back doing that again.
 
Students and ride a-long time

Sandbox medic, it is nice to hear someone that enjoys teaching and wanting the students to have a positive experience during the student's ride a-long time. So often I hear the complete opposite and this gives the students a feeling of "what the heck!" I strongly believe in giving the students a positive attitude and the ride a-long time that goes with it!
 
I am in the process of riding along (as a 3rd rider) with a combo paid FF/EMT and Volunteer ambulance/fire co. I hang out at the fire station and wait for a call. Before letting me ride, I spent two days learning where everything is found on their ambulance and doing driver training. The idea is that they want me to join as a volly and dont want me to be a hinderance on scene during my ride time.
Since riding along, I have been asked to grad specific gear from the truck, hold c-spine and take vitals, all tasks I am happy to complete-- I want to gain as much experience as possible.
I am taking my state written exam on Tuesday, and assuming I pass, I hope to be able to do more on Wed.
I had called several departments in the area-- as an EMT student waiting to take my tests as well as stopped by several services, and the majority did not call back/told me they would get back to me. After several follow-up calls, they did not respond, so I gave up. I am very happy with the crew I am riding with and they have taught me a lot. The emphasis of my ride time has been experience, and I certainly have gained a lot, but I know I have a lot more to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top