Yeah, really depends on how they structure the department. If Paramedic is an absolute necessary requirement to be a FF, then It sounds like that's the way to go. Where I live the major departments don't require Paramedic, but some of them do require Fire-fighter I & 2 state certification prior to application. So most guys who get on with the departments already have their state cert's, which cuts down on the academy time, thus saving money on the departments part. It really depends on the job market and where you live. To me, it would be far more beneficial to have your Paramedic cert than a firefighter cert. It Requires a lot more time and money to make a paramedic than a firefighter and considering 80 percent of most calls departments run are medical in nature, having the ALS skills is beneficial which is likely why the department your after requires it.
