Getting on with a FD in this economy

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griffithsgriffin

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Hey all, I live in Vancouver, WA where most of the fire departments are on a hiring freeze and some are making cuts. It is my career goal to be a firefighter paramedic, but let's be honest, this might take a few years. In the mean time, what's the best way to make myself as competitive as possible? My thoughts:

-Get some volunteer EMS experience
-Now that I have my national EMT cert, get state Cert
-Continue taking BIO and A&P classes
-Paramedic school??
-Firefighter cert???
 
Work for an ambulance service of some sort as an EMT. To do so you will need your state certification/license, no exceptions.
 
I seem to be having the same problem. I am a recent paramedic graduate and am certified in the state of FL. I also have my AA and AS, yet no one wants to hire this newbie. What am I doing wrong? Ive been debating fire school or going back to nursing school. Im sinking.
 
lbstack said:
I seem to be having the same problem. I am a recent paramedic graduate and am certified in the state of FL. I also have my AA and AS, yet no one wants to hire this newbie. What am I doing wrong? Ive been debating fire school or going back to nursing school. Im sinking.
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I have debated fire school as well. What is more attractive to a hiring FD: paramedic cert/degree, of firefighter cert and training? I mean, ideally both....
 
You lost me, but what looks better is having it all. Having your associates and Paramedic certificate, as well as your firefighter. Lots of fire/medic jobs out there. Having your bachelors would be even more amazing. But, what I have come to notice is that none of that stuff really matters unless you've got some sort of experience or you know someone. But, Im not one to talk. I just graduated a few months back and im desperate at this point. Im just trying to reach out anywhere.
 
griffithsgriffin said:
I have debated fire school as well. What is more attractive to a hiring FD: paramedic cert/degree, of firefighter cert and training? I mean, ideally both....
Click to expand...

Varies by each department. If they are a BLS only or do limited ALS it may be more advantagous to go through an academy.
Look at states that do not have as competetive fire departments. CA, FL, OH, CO, AZ, OR, WA, NY are states I would stay away from. Try the midwest or southwest
 
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