RebelAngel
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On a whim I applied to work as an independent contractor for a company that was looking to staff their client (a well known company) with promotional specialist for a NASCAR race about an hour away from where we live. I found out about this opportunity through a mutual acquaintance of ours and couldn't believe the hourly rate + per diem. I got the position and was a bit nervous what the position entailed because of the high hourly rate. I knew it wasn't anything related to being sexually provocative or what not, as some of these positions are. If being more sexually suggestive or flirty was part of the requirement I wouldn't have done it. The client is a conservative company and wanted pretty, straight laced looking (no tattoos showing, no gauge earrings, etc.), females wearing their logo on shirts and black slacks. I was called in to work on Friday to cover for a no-show and was anxious on the hour drive up there worrying about what I was getting myself in to. I got there, worked six hours, and left feeling like it was pretty easy money. That got me thinking about the EMT pay in the area.
The FD I am with is all volunteer. We're in a rural area of upstate (not NYC) area of NYS. The state paid for my EMT training because I was associated with a fire department. The FD paid for my books, my vaccinations, my necessary physical, etc., in exchange for a one year commitment as an EMT for them. I invested money in my own equipment and similar.
If I were to go out and try to get a job as an EMT, with one year experience under my belt, I would make [about] less than half of what I made per hour as a promotional specialist. I talked about it with my boyfriend, whom is Chief of our FD, has been a volunteer fire fighter since he was 16, and works for a division under homeland security as what equates to a fire marshal for NYS. He said it's because people are willing to be EMTs for free. If they weren't, companies would have to pay [more]. He said if our FD had to pay EMTs we would have to close our doors. It really blows my mind that people can save other's lives and get paid peanuts, while some people make so much money for things that are not nearly as important as someone's life (or their own).
I know some of you have been in EMS awhile and was wondering what your thoughts were on this.
The FD I am with is all volunteer. We're in a rural area of upstate (not NYC) area of NYS. The state paid for my EMT training because I was associated with a fire department. The FD paid for my books, my vaccinations, my necessary physical, etc., in exchange for a one year commitment as an EMT for them. I invested money in my own equipment and similar.
If I were to go out and try to get a job as an EMT, with one year experience under my belt, I would make [about] less than half of what I made per hour as a promotional specialist. I talked about it with my boyfriend, whom is Chief of our FD, has been a volunteer fire fighter since he was 16, and works for a division under homeland security as what equates to a fire marshal for NYS. He said it's because people are willing to be EMTs for free. If they weren't, companies would have to pay [more]. He said if our FD had to pay EMTs we would have to close our doors. It really blows my mind that people can save other's lives and get paid peanuts, while some people make so much money for things that are not nearly as important as someone's life (or their own).
I know some of you have been in EMS awhile and was wondering what your thoughts were on this.