Introduction

[Raven_04]

Hello,

My name is Cassey and i am a 19 year old from Kirkland, WA. I am not a EMT or close to being one quite yet. It's actually what i am intrested in persuing it as a career. A friend actually introduced me to this site, thinking maybe you guys could help answer some if not all my questions. I want to become an EMT but I have no idea where to start. I do not know if its because im not looking in the right areas or what. But some of my questions are: To become a Medic is it required to take firefighting corses and such before you become an EMT?or can you just become one and not deal with the firefighting issues? where could I go to get the training I need to become a firefighter/EMT, because that is where i am suck. I am having problems locating any trainings.:unsure:
If you could give me some info it would be much appricated.

thanx

 

[coloradoemt]

It all depends on the requirements of the city and state you live in as well as the department you would like to work for. Have you tried just walking in the station and asking for ideas from the crew on duty? Where I live all classes are offered at a college level so you may want to try that as well.

 

[ffemt8978]

Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

First of all, no, you don't have to be a firefighter to become an EMT or Medic. Depending upon which program you go through, you MAY have to be affiliated with some type of EMS agency (fire or ambulance) before you can get your Washington state EMS card.

Check out your local community/technical colleges since they usually offer the EMT and paramedic courses. The Washington DOH / Office of EMS & Trauma is a good reference for what the requirements are. You may also want to talk to your county Medical Program Director (MPD) and see what they have to say.

If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail/PM me and I'll see if I can help.

 

[Raven_04]

No I havent tried walking into a station. That could be a good idea, maybe I can even try some shadowing to see if I really like it (if they even allow it?). As for colleges, most of them that I am around do not offer the classes or requirements I need. And that is the hard part. But thank you for input, much appricated.

 

[Raven_04]

ffemt8978
thank you for the website, a great help!

 

[Phridae]

Originally posted by ffemt8978@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase.

 

[ffemt8978]

Originally posted by Phridae+Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Phridae @ Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-ffemt8978@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase. [/b][/quote]
How about "Greetings from the community possessed, non-rounded, intersection of two walls pertaining to non-standard relationship interactions"?


Okay, I'll work on a new one.

 

[Phridae]

Originally posted by ffemt8978+Mar 29 2005, 08:57 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ffemt8978 @ Mar 29 2005, 08:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by Phridae@Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-ffemt8978

@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase.

How about "Greetings from the community possessed, non-rounded, intersection of two walls pertaining to non-standard relationship interactions"?


Okay, I'll work on a new one. [/b][/quote]
Wow. I'm too blonde to understand that. I even read it real slow a few times. :lol:

 

[Wingnut]

Originally posted by ffemt8978+Mar 29 2005, 08:57 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ffemt8978 @ Mar 29 2005, 08:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by Phridae@Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-ffemt8978

@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase.

How about "Greetings from the community possessed, non-rounded, intersection of two walls pertaining to non-standard relationship interactions"?


Okay, I'll work on a new one. [/b][/quote]
I'm not blond (naturally or unatural) and I didn't get that!


If the colleges aren't any help, the best way is going to a station, they're usually happy to help. And where I live, you're required to be an EMT-B to become a firefighter, but not vice versa. Also your state should have an EMS bureau with a website you could check out.
Good Luck!

 

[SafetyPro2]

Around here, you can either work for a private ambulance company or a fire department as an EMT or Medic. The private companies primarily do interfacility transports...that is, moving patients from one healthcare facility (such as a nursing facility) to another (such as a hospital). Some also respond to 911 calls to provide transport for fire departments that don't run their own ambulance. Most private ambulance company staff are EMTs, though most have a few Medic positions too.

The fire departments are the primary 911-response EMS agencies. Most departments require all FFs to be EMTs as well, and encourage them to be Medics. FDs either staff their own ambulances, or use non-transport "squads" (light rescues on a pickup chassis). In either case, they'll have two FF/Medics on-board. If they have their own ambulance, they'll handle the transport. If they have a squad, they'll call in a private ambulance company for the transport. An engine company will usually respond with the ambulance or squad, so that gets you (usually) two medics and four EMTs on-scene.

Honestly, most of the private ambulance company staff do it to get experience to become FFs and/or to go to Medic school (you have to be an EMT for 6 months to a year before going to Medic school). There's a few who make a career out of it, but they seem to be rare.

 

[CodeSurfer]

Originally posted by Wingnut+Mar 29 2005, 11:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Wingnut @ Mar 29 2005, 11:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by ffemt8978@Mar 29 2005, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by Phridae@Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-ffemt8978

@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase.

How about "Greetings from the community possessed, non-rounded, intersection of two walls pertaining to non-standard relationship interactions"?


Okay, I'll work on a new one.

I'm not blond (naturally or unatural) and I didn't get that! [/b][/quote]
I dont get it either... and my IQ is over 150.

 

[MedicPrincess]

Originally posted by CodeSurfer@Mar 30 2005, 02:44 AM
I dont get it either... and my IQ is over 150.

SmartyPants!!!

My IQ I am sure as a 1 and a 5 and a 0 in it too....just not in any particular order :blink:

 

[coloradoemt]

Originally posted by ffemt8978+Mar 29 2005, 07:57 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ffemt8978 @ Mar 29 2005, 07:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by Phridae@Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-ffemt8978

@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase.

How about "Greetings from the community possessed, non-rounded, intersection of two walls pertaining to non-standard relationship interactions"?


Okay, I'll work on a new one. [/b][/quote]
Actually I like that one... makes you sound intelligent...

 

[Raven_04]

a little more about me, I have always wanted to be a firefighter EMT ever since I was little. If something was going on in my town espically fires, I was at the sene. Is that crazy or what? I am actually kinda worried because I dont know how I would actually react in those intense situations. But I get a rush just being there. It seems like a tough job. Even though this may sound cheesey, but I look up to you all and appricate what you do. And it inspired me. B)

 

[rescuecpt]

Originally posted by Raven_04@Apr 1 2005, 12:19 AM
a little more about me, I have always wanted to be a firefighter EMT ever since I was little. If something was going on in my town espically fires, I was at the sene. Is that crazy or what? I am actually kinda worried because I dont know how I would actually react in those intense situations. But I get a rush just being there. It seems like a tough job. Even though this may sound cheesey, but I look up to you all and appricate what you do. And it inspired me. B)

I was the same way when I was little, and my Dad was in the FD... He never really let me hang around much though because of all of the "manly" stuff going on or whatever that means. But I'm proud to say I'm the first female who made it through training in my Dept and actually didn't quit. Although now I'm on lift restriction but after surgery and a year of rehab I should be back to normal!

 

[Merck]

I would really suggest that you shadow a crew. Doing a ride-along can be a great way to see if it's for you. Of course, whenever we have someone come along we're usually inflicted with what we call 'the curse of the thirds', meaning that you generally spend the day doing calls so routine they haven't invented a response code for them. Oh well, sometimes you get lucky.

Certainly try walking into a station and chatting to the crew - for the most part they should be receptive. And if all else fails, truck up to Vancouver

Good luck,

Merck

 

[Jon]

Originally posted by coloradoemt+Mar 30 2005, 09:50 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (coloradoemt @ Mar 30 2005, 09:50 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by ffemt8978@Mar 29 2005, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Phridae@Mar 29 2005, 06:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-ffemt8978

@Mar 29 2005, 08:39 PM
Welcome to our own little corner of dysfunction.

You need a new catch phrase.

How about "Greetings from the community possessed, non-rounded, intersection of two walls pertaining to non-standard relationship interactions"?


Okay, I'll work on a new one.

Actually I like that one... makes you sound intelligent... [/b][/quote]
SOUND

'nuff said.

 

[Jon]

Originally posted by rescuecpt@Apr 1 2005, 09:14 PM
I was the same way when I was little, and my Dad was in the FD... He never really let me hang around much though because of all of the "manly" stuff going on or whatever that means.

That means that the company defined playboy centerfolds as wallpaper.

 

[Jon]

Originally posted by Raven_04@Apr 1 2005, 12:19 AM
a little more about me, I have always wanted to be a firefighter EMT ever since I was little. If something was going on in my town espically fires, I was at the sene. Is that crazy or what?

As a kid, it is cute. I'm from a small Vollie dept, and our chief officers often show up on firegrounds with little ones in their car (well, they are growing up fast ). Usually the firefighters keep an eye on the kids, and they know to stay in the truck until things are over, and/or Mom/Grandmom/grandpa shows up to get them. Once in a while it is cool, but some chiefs drive around with a gaggle of little ones in the back of the Company Chief's truck.

I am actually kinda worried because I dont know how I would actually react in those intense situations. But I get a rush just being there. It seems like a tough job.

It is good to be concerned, but you will probably be fine. Definitly do a ride-along with someone - look into an Explorer Program at a firehouse / Ambulance Corps. If not, speak with the EMS supervisor / Captain and explain your situation. Most will be happy to help. If you can't get in with the local BLS squad - look at the local Medic - they usually have a ride-along program in place.

Remeber - there are lots of different ways to work in EMS, from Security/EMT to Flight Nurse / Medic. You can work transport, you can work 911, you can volunteer, you can make this your (meager) living.

Even though this may sound cheesey, but I look up to you all and appricate what you do. And it inspired me. B)

Yes. It sounds Cheezy. But thanks.