private company cut backs

[emsmonkey22]

I work for a private company in the middle TN area and just recently my company has started cutting back shifts and hours. I went from being able to get as many shifts a week as I wanted to now being cut back to only 2 12 hour shifts. I was supposed to work today but they told me to stay home because of low call volume. The supervisors say its just a slow period and that it will pick back up, but im not so sure. We have had two larger company's just come to town that now we have to compete with. so my question is has anyone else experienced this situation and what did you do? get a second job? move to another(one of the new ones) company? or stick it out were your at and hope things do pick back up like you have been told?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[usalsfyre]

Start discretely looking....

 

[DrParasite]

never hurts to have a part time job in EMS, in fact most people I know have one. If your FT job starts to suck or cut down your hours, you can always go where you are always working to make up the hours or make your part time job your new full time job.

 

[medic417]

Your not alone. Many County and City services have been eliminating hours. The reality of it is EMS is not an essential service and it is one area communities are deciding they can find savings by cutting hours and even people. Often they don't fire/lay off they just don't fill the spots when people quit. So really if you choose to stay in EMS always be making contacts so you have someplace to go if needed.

 

[SicilianMedic07]

Not only would I "discreetly" look for another job, I'd also consider taking some more classes, maybe an Instructor certification or two. You could fill in at the local junior college and/or make yourself more marketable to other agencies with Instructor certifications. EMS is an ever evolving thing. It will never go away, but it will always be competitive on both an provider level and agency level. Keep all options open to you. Good luck!

 

[medicman14]

Your not alone. Many County and City services have been eliminating hours. The reality of it is EMS is not an essential service and it is one area communities are deciding they can find savings by cutting hours and even people. Often they don't fire/lay off they just don't fill the spots when people quit. So really if you choose to stay in EMS always be making contacts so you have someplace to go if needed.

OK, how is EMS not an essential service? That one threw me...

 

[DrParasite]

OK, how is EMS not an essential service? That one threw me...

sad but true. when was the last time you heard a fire department was outsourced to a private company? how about PD? can you even outsource a DPW?

when was the last time you had PD saying they can run DPW, no proble?

when was the last time you saw PD standing on the street corner begging for money to put gas in their cars, or soliciting donations from every resident to get new guns?

Essential services are government mandated agencies that are fully tax funded, independent of other government agencies (ie, no need to be fire based), and one that won't be easily outsourced to a private agency when someone want to save a few bucks at the expense of the employees. Sadly, in most areas, EMS in none of these things.

But I know where you were going, and i agree that it should be, it's just not viewed as such in the US.

 

[medicman14]

sad but true. when was the last time you heard a fire department was outsourced to a private company? how about PD? can you even outsource a DPW?

when was the last time you had PD saying they can run DPW, no proble?

when was the last time you saw PD standing on the street corner begging for money to put gas in their cars, or soliciting donations from every resident to get new guns?

Essential services are government mandated agencies that are fully tax funded, independent of other government agencies (ie, no need to be fire based), and one that won't be easily outsourced to a private agency when someone want to save a few bucks at the expense of the employees. Sadly, in most areas, EMS in none of these things.

But I know where you were going, and i agree that it should be, it's just not viewed as such in the US.

With exception of Florida, someone must provide, or it falls to the County. The majority of Counties provide their own. Some through fire, most as a third service model. I guess having spent my career here in this very hot State - I've become used to the way it is done here. Thanks for the enlightenment, it is interesting to learn about other places.

 

[usalsfyre]

sad but true. when was the last time you heard a fire department was outsourced to a private company? how about PD? can you even outsource a DPW?

when was the last time you had PD saying they can run DPW, no proble?

when was the last time you saw PD standing on the street corner begging for money to put gas in their cars, or soliciting donations from every resident to get new guns?

Essential services are government mandated agencies that are fully tax funded, independent of other government agencies (ie, no need to be fire based), and one that won't be easily outsourced to a private agency when someone want to save a few bucks at the expense of the employees. Sadly, in most areas, EMS in none of these things.

But I know where you were going, and i agree that it should be, it's just not viewed as such in the US.

I think you have a north east centered view.

In this state...

School districts are independent authorities, and charter schools are private entities. Some school districts are contracting things such as cafeteria service and school buses.

Public work projects are often rewarded to private companies via the RFP process.

Many cities contract their fire and police protection (albeit to other government entities).

Toll authorities build toll roads.

There's places where Rural/Metro runs the FD, not just EMS.

So just because that's the way it is in NJ does not make it so everywhere.

 

[DrParasite]

With exception of Florida, someone must provide, or it falls to the County. The majority of Counties provide their own. Some through fire, most as a third service model. I guess having spent my career here in this very hot State - I've become used to the way it is done here. Thanks for the enlightenment, it is interesting to learn about other places.

I honestly thought Florida was almost entirely a FD-ran EMS state, with the large majority being career FF/PM, or FD based volunteer ems agency with the sporadic independent EMS agency. I stand corrected, I did not know that Florida was mostly 3rd service government agencies.

I think you have a north east centered view.

absolutely I do......

In this state...

School districts are independent authorities, and charter schools are private entities. Some school districts are contracting things such as cafeteria service and school buses.

Public work projects are often rewarded to private companies via the RFP process.

Private schools aside (since they are optional), public schools are still government run correct? teachers are government employees? we out source our school bus services, but the core educational concept is still very government. unless you are outsourcing the entire public school system to a private agency, in which case, i am misunderstanding what you are saying.

And yes, DPW projects are awarded to private companies, but who does the day to day work?

Many cities contract their fire and police protection (albeit to other government entities).

so the statement still stands, you can contract out to another agency, but it's another public agency, not a private one. It's not like like Dallas PD is laying off the entire force and replacing every position with Dallas Security Specialists, who are going to be the law enforcement agency in the city. I am all for consolidation and eliminating small agencies as they get merged with larger ones, that's different than taking an entire agency of government workers and replacing them with contracted staff and a contracted company.

Toll authorities build toll roads.

typically they are private roads.... heck, I can build a road and charge a toll for anyone to drive on it, but the majority of public roads that are maintained using public funds were handled by public employees.

There's places where Rural/Metro runs the FD, not just EMS.

R/M got booted out of Scottsdale, which had been their crown jewel since they started. and you can't argue that it's exceedingly rare where that happens, not the norm.

So just because that's the way it is in NJ does not make it so everywhere.

You show me an entire state that has an EMS system that is 100% tax funded, doesn't need a first responder to "stop the clock" due to their otherwise excessively long response times, has a pension and/or career path, and I will believe you. Otherwise, I'm standing by my statement, and I don't think you have said anything that would convince me otherwise. Sorry

 

[emsmonkey22]

thanks for all the advice guys. I guess I should have said that I have only been a EMT since January, but I feel like i'm a good EMT and could hold my own in any situation and be good on a 911 truck(no im not squarely). so to change the topic a little being in the field so far has been kinda frustrating for me. Right now i'm working for a private company on a ALS unit(the one that's cutting hours) which I have gotten some good experience from but I would really like to work on a 911 truck. I have applied to many counties in my area but it seems that since no one in my family has any ties to EMS or county gov also neither my family or myself know anyone in the higher ups of ems it seems next to impossible for me to get hired on (i'm the first in my family in EMS). It all seems to be about who knows who and not about how good of a worker or EMT you are. I know some people that have gotten hired on 911 services that i wouldn't want working on me if i was injured... just saying. so needless to say i'm feeling kinda stuck. Another thing that i have noticed is that the level of drama is way high in ems and it even carries over from service to service which i don't really care for and try to stay out of best I can but still having to hear about it and being around such people that are very unprofessional is rather frustrating. Have any other new EMTs felt this way? I have been thinking about going to medic school but it seems like the pay or the positives wouldn't out weigh the negative BS which is making me lean toward nursing school. sorry for the rant but would love some input. Im usually not such a negative person I promise.

 

[SicilianMedic07]

Honestly, you need more time in the field before thinking about Medic school. Just my opinion. If you've had your EMT cert. since last January, you'd be good to get on a BLS truck. I understand you got the "taste" of ALS and 911. The BLS truck is where you learn more "hands on," as you are the highest level of care. You'll do a lot of assessments, paperwork and get used to a little more independence. Again, just my opinion. I spent a long time as an EMT before I became a Medic. It's not about the "pay" difference, it's about a higher level of knowledge in EMS, maturity and knowing how to apply those concepts together. You have to LOVE what you do otherwise, it's not worth it. Honestly, 90+% of the time, we are ALL EMT's until the patient requires drugs, airway or electricity. To be a decent Medic, you have to be a damn good EMT. Good luck in whatever you decide. One other piece of advice, don't become closed minded and think that you are "too good" for a BLS truck. You'd be surprised how much experience you will gain.

 

[emsmonkey22]

I feel like i'm a good EMT, but I did not mean to make it sound like I think i'm the best there is as I know I have a lot to learn and i'm always looking for things to learn. Also I do not believe that I am too good for a BLS truck. I actually enjoy working on a BLS truck when they need me to. No EMT is too good for a BLS truck including me, but right now I have a good medic partner that is good at teaching me and giving me pointers.

 

[medic417]

No reason to waste time at the basic level. Go get your Paramedic now.