Thank you Iceman26, 46young, terrible one, for all of your info. based on the info you have given me i have decided that Arizona isn't the best job move i can do. 46young i unfortunately work for NSLIJ as well. things at NSLIJ all ways change but always for the better of the company and never and i do mean never for the employee. one sided street is an understatement. i will definitely look into the NY Methodist's Paramedic Program, because enrolling in a medic program was going to be part of my plan whether i stayed or moved.
Bruce S. Kerri B. myself, and Sergey F. all left for Fairfax County as firemedics. Sergey just graduated from the 131st. last year. I left N.S. in Oct. 2007, just before things began to become untenable from what people tell me. Maybe consider coming to the fire side after you get your NREMT-P. We work ten days a month, start at around 71k/yr after being released from the fire academy and ALS internship, where you're getting 50k. 25 and out @ 2.8% and a three year DROP.
I liked Methodist's program. I rode 48W a lot, as well as Jamaica's 51V and 51W, since they were real close to home. Tony Thomas was my I/C. He was excellent, and used to buy me coffee if I would make the trip to D.D. for him. Sergey F. went there as well, and also recommends Tony if you can get him. N.S. worked with me. I had 46 Eddie for the Tues 1 and Fri 1, and an IFT 16 on Sat to complete the 40 hrs. They should adjust your schedule for school if you're not a problem child.
The program was 13 months when I did it. You'll have to get your NR-P somewhere else, unless they're including it now. They're also an accredited institution. What's more, the P card will get you comped for roughly 35-40 college credits if you want to go back for an EMS AAS, a two year degree. You'll need a four year healthcare degree to apply for the better EMS supervisor jobs across the country. Emergency Management will open many more doors for you, though.
I recommend just sucking it up and trying not to make waves with NS while you bang out the medic cert. Once you get your NR-P, you can work almost anywhere you want, excluding FL, OH, and CA. Those are tougher nuts to crack. If you're going career, I highly recommend fire based. You're taken care of much better than in other systems. If you're going to do that, I'd look into Northern Virginia and the more affluent counties in MD near D.C. If you don't like fire, I'd go to Texas for single role work. There are a few on these forums from there. They pay well for single role. North Carolina has good systems, but they only start at around $30-$35k/yr. Not for me. Charleston County EMS pays well, but I didn't care for the system. They may have changed, as I haven't worked there in four years. Most everywhere you go the pay is crappy, compared to our standards. Remeber, you may think $30-$35k is okay if your in the South or somewhere with a lower cost of living, but realize that the only thing that's cheaper compared to NY is the housing. Everything else is similar. So, A $13/hr 56 hour job isn't going to allow you to afford a house, nice car, vacatios, etc. A fire job paying you $71k after being there eight months certainly will. Trust me. I'm a four year guy making in the low $80's paying under $1800/month for a mortgage/taxes/insurance on a 5B 2 1/2 Bath 3200 SF home with a 1700 SF basement, 45 mins from work where I make only ten trips a month. 24 hours of OT gets me more than $600 after taxes.
Realize one more thing regarding cost of living, if you have the choice of a job in an area with a lower cost of living, and a better paying job in an area with a higher cost of living, go with the more expensive area. Here's why:
It's all about the best retirement. What's more, 75% of $50k, or 75% of $100k? Even if you're talking about a 401k, what's more, saving 10% of $50k, or saving 10% of $100k? Get the better retirement, then move somewhere cheap. It's a NY tradition.
