basically, GA does not recognize EMT-B. Some fire departments will hire you at the first responder level, some wont. Let's put it this way. County A will make you get your first responder and your good to go, however County B(the next county over) will make you get EMT-I and thats mandatory. GA requires EMT-I to staff an ambulance aswell. So, to answer your question, depending how far in the fire dept/ems you want to go. Yes your wasting your time. Get into an EMT-I '85 class. The state does not give out I '99(Cardiac Tech) numbers anymore. Plus you have to be an I '85 to get into a medic class.