fdny ems, and getting in it

abeth86 said:
Presently I'm a full-time firefighter/emt-b in Wisconsin, I'm a BLS instructor, and have 2 years experience in EMS. It's a very cosy job, but lacks the call volume and there's no room for professional advancement (ie - we'll be a basic service till pigs fly or a few chiefs retire). I feel I'm qualified, but I'd like to know everything I can do to bring myself that extra few feet closer to the finish line. Any advice, or answers to the question above?
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wait, you are a full time FF/EMT, on a department, and you want to move to FDNY EMS of all places? why????

There are tons of better places to work EMS than in FDNY EMS. In fact, most people who work for FDNY EMS are looking to work elsewhere, often in NYC for one of the hospitals. Many medics have left NYC to work in NJ for more money. Jersey City and Newark are both busy systems (busier per ambulance than NYC), as is MONOC. They often have high turnover rates, and are grossly understaffed, but they have a line of applicants waiting to get jobs.

oh, and the whole learning EMT the NY way, it's the same logic behind a FD sending you to their fire academy, despite you having any previous education or credentials. IIRC, the FDNY EMS EMT academy is 3 or 4 months, monday to friday 9-5, and covers much more than the basic EMT class.

btw, what are you basing the worst places to do EMS based on?
 
DrParasite said:
wait, you are a full time FF/EMT, on a department, and you want to move to FDNY EMS of all places? why????

There are tons of better places to work EMS than in FDNY EMS. In fact, most people who work for FDNY EMS are looking to work elsewhere, often in NYC for one of the hospitals. Many medics have left NYC to work in NJ for more money. Jersey City and Newark are both busy systems (busier per ambulance than NYC), as is MONOC. They often have high turnover rates, and are grossly understaffed, but they have a line of applicants waiting to get jobs.

oh, and the whole learning EMT the NY way, it's the same logic behind a FD sending you to their fire academy, despite you having any previous education or credentials. IIRC, the FDNY EMS EMT academy is 3 or 4 months, monday to friday 9-5, and covers much more than the basic EMT class.

btw, what are you basing the worst places to do EMS based on?
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wait so ur tellin me that once I pass my NYS EMT-B certification in August, I'll have to go thru yet another EMT-B class for FDNY EMS? I better get full tuition reimbursement for the money I paid to take this class!!
 
redbull said:
wait so ur tellin me that once I pass my NYS EMT-B certification in August, I'll have to go thru yet another EMT-B class for FDNY EMS? I better get full tuition reimbursement for the money I paid to take this class!!
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Nope, sorry, not to the best of my knowledge. You will, however, be paid the hourly rate of about 12/hr (or whatever the going academy rate is) to sit in class.
 
My biggest problem with where I'm at is that there's no room for advancement. Sure, I'm a full time ff/emt, but if I stay here that's *all* I'll ever be. No room for paramedic. It's a combination career/volunteer department, and only volunteers can become officers. So there's no room up the ladder on the fire side, either.

I'm getting restless. Makes me want to go to the big city.
 
redbull said:
wait so ur tellin me that once I pass my NYS EMT-B certification in August, I'll have to go thru yet another EMT-B class for FDNY EMS? I better get full tuition reimbursement for the money I paid to take this class!!
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you are hired paid employee of the FDNY EMS division when you take this class. If your taking this class, its like being in the police academy or the fire academy. They want to make sure you follow THEIR protocols. Plus there is physical trraining, WMD training other than sitting at a computer, rescue training and other stuff that are taught at the actual fire academy. You wll do some stuff that has nothing to do with EMS per se.
 
redbull said:
wait so ur tellin me that once I pass my NYS EMT-B certification in August, I'll have to go thru yet another EMT-B class for FDNY EMS? I better get full tuition reimbursement for the money I paid to take this class!!
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Um.. In NYS, if you're currently a member of an EMS/FR agency, you should have filled out a green piece of paper in the beginning of the class. That's the form that makes either your agency or the State pay for your class if you successfully pass.

If you haven't filled that out, you should probably call your instructor immediately to get one. Saves you $700ish.
 
redbull said:
wait so ur tellin me that once I pass my NYS EMT-B certification in August, I'll have to go thru yet another EMT-B class for FDNY EMS? I better get full tuition reimbursement for the money I paid to take this class!!
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redbull said:
I dont work for the FDNY EMS.
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right you don't work for FDNY EMS but you would have to go through the FDNY class if you got hired.
 
How many apply for the few openings they have? Or should these guys just buy lottery tickets as they would have as good odds?
 
I don't think its that hard to get hired by FDNY. Its not like winning the lottery. Its my understanding that most people who get through the process get hired. Realize the FDNY EMS is understaffed for both budget concerns and there are better places in NY to work i.e. the hospitals. One can work for a private company and be doing 911 ems call in NYC.

FDNY firefighting is different. Its very hard to get hired there. Every volunteer FF in the NY/NJ area with an interest in doing FF professionally wants to work for FDNY. This is not the same for EMS. FDNY firefighting is understaffed due to budget concerns and not from a lack of applicants. There are no private companies putting fires out in NYC.
 
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redbull said:
I dont work for the FDNY EMS.
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You don't have to work for FDNY. Do you volunteer at a fire or EMS agency anywhere in NYS? If so, talk to your instructor, and fill out this state reimbursement form. And I believe then either your company or NYS foots the bill for your EMT class.

If you're taking this class on your own and you aren't in any agency at all... Either hurry to join one, or end up paying the bill yourself.
 
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