But the 86-Hour Firefighter Course is such an honor that they "deserve" a license plate?
Personally, I think they are all kind of dumb in general, but if you want one have at it. I just don't see how becoming a firefighter is a much greater accomplishment than becoming an EMT.
I'm pretty sure you have to be associated with a department to get the plates... Here in NV that's how it is at least. Also their immediate family members can get the plates as well.
If you're looking for "professional courtesy" from PD/SO/HP when you are speeding and get pulled over, that's ridiculous. I'm not saying that's what you are looking for but it's the first thing that comes to mind when talking about EMS license plates. With that said I did get pulled over on my way home from work once in my uniform, and wasn't issued a citation for the simple fact that I was in uniform. Was it right? No. Was I going to argue about it? Absolutely not, but I also didn't go out of my way to make it known that I work in public safety.
Personally I have no interest in advertising the fact that I'm an EMT or Paramedic but that's just me. If you want it more power to you but I guarantee my partner and I would have a field day if we ever saw an EMS plate but that's just how we work, no one is safe from us making fun of you in the privacy of our ambulance.
Change doesn't happen by sitting around and talking about it, it happens from people taking action. If you really want an EMS license plate that bad get out there and start getting signatures.
Denver Paramedics P-school finishes their didactic in 6-9 months depending on which program you are in. You still have clinical hours and an Internship to complete before you can sit for the national exam.
Please don't bring the military into this. They make huge sacrifices for our country and deserve respect. An EMT who takes a 4-6 month course and works 3-4 12 hour shifts per week is not a comparison at all. If you are in the job for recognition and respect you are here for the complete wrong reasons.