Questions About EMT/Firefighting

[Guardian]

Here is my 2 cents. If you want to be a loser, quit the big boy university and go to 13th grade...I mean community college. There is a misnomer that college is supposed to be fun. Some people have lots of fun. I've been going to college for quite a while now and hate it because it's very hard work, as it should be. But I continue because I know that it will build a foundation that will serve me the rest of my life. Getting a real university degree will serve you in ways you can't even imagine now. It will set you apart from the pack because your bosses will have real degrees and will know how hard they had to work for it and will therefore only promote other college graduates (this is true for ems too). So, stay in school and maybe take an emt-b course on the side for fun but whatever you do, STAY AT THE UNIVERSITY.

 

[premedtim]

Here is my 2 cents. If you want to be a loser, quit the big boy university and go to 13th grade...I mean community college. There is a misnomer that college is supposed to be fun. Some people have lots of fun. I've been going to college for quite a while now and hate it because it's very hard work, as it should be. But I continue because I know that it will build a foundation that will serve me the rest of my life. Getting a real university degree will serve you in ways you can't even imagine now. It will set you apart from the pack because your bosses will have real degrees and will know how hard they had to work for it and will therefore only promote other college graduates (this is true for ems too). So, stay in school and maybe take an emt-b course on the side for fun but whatever you do, STAY AT THE UNIVERSITY.

This is pretty much my thoughts on the matter. I think some people do find college fun, but more often than not, they're taking a bull:censored::censored::censored::censored: degree or they're barely passing with a 2.0 GPA because they're out getting wasted/stoned/etc. constantly. College sucks; I'm sure university blows even more. The reason people do it is this earning potential you speak of. I don't know if it's true but supposedly the median income for a high school graduate or someone with an associate degree is 30K whereas the median income for someone with a bachelor degree is 60K. Over the course of a lifetime, that adds up. Hence why I'm still going to college to get a dual degree in biology and psychology even though I plan to take the EMT-B course and do that as well. Is it good to have a safety net? Hell yes...that's what degrees are for.

Personally, I would never consider being an EMT as a career after everything I've read about the shifts, etc. and the pay. Paramedic sure, but not EMT. No matter how much you love something, if it doesn't feed you and/or your family, it's not a viable career.

 

[cmktech]

There is nothing wrong with going to a community college getting ur 60 transferrable units and then going on to a 4 year and obtaining a degree. If anythign it saves money. As for me, I am at a university already but if I had to do it over again I would definately consider that route.

 

[EyeOn]

There is nothing wrong with going to a community college getting ur 60 transferrable units and then going on to a 4 year and obtaining a degree. If anythign it saves money.

And that's exactly what I'm doing. Going to a CC after leaving high school over 20 years ago. I'll get all my GE done at the CC and the first portion of the Major requirements and yes...it does save a ton of money, especially if you're as poor as I am...LOL. I'm getting at least three years paid, so I've got three years to come up with a scholarship or other funding for the rest.

And for anyone who states college isn't fun, because of all the work...well...it is...after not being in a class room for over 20 years and all those cute professors my age My party days and nights have been long over. I've worked very hard and raised a son. I know what my goals are more than I ever did back in high school. IMO, college (CC or University) is wasted on high school grads who haven't tasted life yet.

 

[Ridryder911]

I agree Community Colleges can provide just as well the educational standards as the private, and State University ran programs. I have attended all.... my community college allowed individual attention, where I definitely did not see in State operated Universities... hmm 20 per class or 300 in the classroom, which one do you think is able to recieve the most?....

Yes, one should continue the education at higher level. But where you receive your basics is immaterial as long as they are taught up to current standards and taught well
.
Private is nice; again, because lower number of student in ratio of instructors. But, you pay the price financially, but definitely unique in comparison to state ran universities.

R/r 911

 

[Guardian]

There is nothing wrong with going to a community college getting ur 60 transferrable units and then going on to a 4 year and obtaining a degree. If anythign it saves money. As for me, I am at a university already but if I had to do it over again I would definately consider that route.

Ok, 2 more cents. I should give you some background information. I took my first college class when I was 14 at a community college. I went on to earn an associated degree from a community college. I now attend a prestigious university. A couple of years ago, out of spite for the arrogant snobs I went to school with, I put a community college sticker on my car to proudly show off my alma mater while driving around the university. Here's the point, I'm a huge supporter of community colleges. I received most of my GE and all of my paramedic education from a CC. I totally agree with what you said because that is exactly what I did, but my circumstances were different than yours. I believe CC is a great place if you're there for the right reasons. I do think however that going from a university to CC is going backward. I suspect money has little to do with your decision and your only using that as justification for leaving the university. I want you to stay at the univ. because I know most people who leave, don't come back. Just hang in there and finish and you'll have plenty of time to pursue EMS later. Plus, if you hate the univ., chances are you will hate CC just as much. Listen to your parents and grandparents because they have been around much longer than you. Make them proud, be a man, and finish school at the university.

 

[premedtim]

Not that it really matters worth a damn, but out of curiosity, aren't the 300-people classes (IE the huge lecture hall ones) only the lower division classes? I was under the impression that class size for upper division classes was closer to around 30.

By the way Guardian, the CC sticker is some funny :censored::censored::censored::censored:, lol. If I didn't hate my CC so much, that wouldn't be a bad idea to do myself.

 

[Ridryder911]

Al ldepends on the school and class.. I have had 150 to 200 people in a 300 level class.... one of the reasons I went to private.... I really like my professor knowing my name.... and having at least a master prepared instructor or PhD professor, in lieu of a graduate student teaching......

R/r 911

 

[premedtim]

Al ldepends on the school and class.. I have had 150 to 200 people in a 300 level class.... one of the reasons I went to private.... I really like my professor knowing my name.... and having at least a master prepared instructor or PhD professor, in lieu of a graduate student teaching......

R/r 911

Ahhh k....I'll have to investigate Davis a little more then and find out about that. Screw going to a university if the TA's are the ones teaching and there's 300 people in the upper division classes.

 

[paramedic'11]

Oh hey, I'm a student soon to be studying Emergency Health Services at a local school. I just switched over from my former major(music education)and switched schools to pursue a career as a paramedic. My mom isn't exactly keen on the whole switch and wants to know some more information

1. What is the male to female ratio among paramedics?
2. What is the ratio of paramedics with firefighter training?

Just a heads up, I live in Minnesota, so anyone on here from around that area?

 

[Hastings]

Oh hey, I'm a student soon to be studying Emergency Health Services at a local school. I just switched over from my former major(music education)and switched schools to pursue a career as a paramedic. My mom isn't exactly keen on the whole switch and wants to know some more information

1. What is the male to female ratio among paramedics?
2. What is the ratio of paramedics with firefighter training?

Just a heads up, I live in Minnesota, so anyone on here from around that area?

1. High, which is why females are highly sought after and often have a huge advantage over male applicants.

2. Most paramedics have fire training. However, if you choose to work at a private service, it's not necessary. And in some cases, it's not preferred. I know at the service I work, they prefer medics without firefighting training because there are enough people out there who are using medic to get to fire. They want to know that they have medics who are interested in medic alone. That being said though, the more things you're trained in, the easier it is to get a job on average.

 

[Ridryder911]

Oh hey, I'm a student soon to be studying Emergency Health Services at a local school. I just switched over from my former major(music education)and switched schools to pursue a career as a paramedic. My mom isn't exactly keen on the whole switch and wants to know some more information

1. What is the male to female ratio among paramedics?
2. What is the ratio of paramedics with firefighter training?

Just a heads up, I live in Minnesota, so anyone on here from around that area?

It all depends upon your where you want to work. In my area at the larger city, there are more female than male Paramedics, although that is not true everywhere. In my location we only have 4 female medics in comparison to the other 30 males... so one, can see it varies a lot.

Again, ratio to firefighting training.. Again, alike Vent will described California & Florida is primarily fire service, in my area most EMS is third party and most Fire Services avoid EMS.
So you can see it can vary a lot... check in your local area, but if you decide to move be aware of the changes.

Now I am curious, why such question?

R/r 911

 

[Lyss]

To the first and original question:

If you're looking to make 50k+, EMS is not for you. You also will never be able to make a career out of being an EMT-B. You have to juggle shifts, will never be guaranteed an actual steady shift (I got lucky), and you will never have a social life or family life. You have to upgrade, and probably quite soon after you get your certification, if you want to eat and sleep. However, for a person that is new to EMS and seems to have a few misnomers about it, EMT-B is the place to start. I'd hate to see you throw yourself into a paramedic program head first, especially if you hated 4-year.

Can I ask a question? As a fellow 4-year to another, why do you hate it? Like others said, everyone goes to college expecting to have the time of their lives. I went there expecting nothing, and got nothing. The classes were so easy my first year I felt stupid for taking them so after my first week I enrolled in the EMT class the local CC was offering. I cross-registered between the two colleges and attended both. I trudged through my week at SUNY New Paltz only to look foward to Saturdays when I would go to EMT class. By that time I had already been a firefighter for 3 years, so I already knew what I was getting into. Honestly, don't quit college and just focus on EMS, you have to have something else. The reason why I hated my college so much is because I'm a country girl thrown into a town full of hippies and spoiled brats all-too-willing to spend their parents money. If you maybe examine the reason you hate your college so much, maybe you can look past it and fit in the EMS class somewhere inbetween.

Second question:

Why is the ratio of male to female important? When I first started out here in my Fire co. there was only one other female. But as long as you're willing to show that you'll work as hard as they will, they'll get over it for the most part. I've had my fair share of problems, but I don't do it to please them. If I did it for my co-workers or anything else then I wouldn't be a volunteer. In the EMS world, the women outnumber the men here. They actually prefer to hire women here because we get a lot of calls with little kids with broken everything coming off of the ski slope and the women tend to have a better manner with them.

You're more likely to make more money in a busy Fire co. than in EMS. No matter what you are, EMT-B or Paramedic, the Firefighter will always make more starting out. I'd recommend going to a local station and hanging out, chatting with the guys and asking some questions. Ask the Chief or ***'t Chief or Captain, depending on the department head, if you went through the course, would they hire you, why and why not. Don't just dive in, you'll be in for a world of hurt. Go do some research, hang out with some departments, ask them about their family life (VERY IMPORTANT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY NEWBIES JUST LOOKING TO SAVE A FEW LIVES). While its true in every job, in EMS and the Fire world its much more pronounced, the better you do at work, the more your outside life suffers. Your sig. other often doesn't understand why you're hurt, or willing to hurt yourself, for others. They start thinking that they don't matter as much to you as your job does and yadda yadda yadda. So be sure you're willing to accept certain sacrifices.

As for paramedics with fire training? Very few in my area. Its all going to depend on area. Like it was said before, most stations prefer their medics to be just medics because they want to keep them. The firefighters will take care of their own, as soon as they get them out of the building they'll drop them on you and then you can do your job.

 

[paramedic'11]

Now I am curious, why such question?

R/r 911

I dunno, its my mom and again, she'd not keen on the entire idea of me being a paramedic because she thinks I'm not cut out for the job(not to mention she thinks a bachelor's degree is the be all end all) That and she thinks because I'll be in a field like Emergency Medical Services that I won't have the time for a family or time to even find somebody because I will be eternally thought of as "one of the guys"

 

[Ridryder911]

I dunno, its my mom and again, she'd not keen on the entire idea of me being a paramedic because she thinks I'm not cut out for the job(not to mention she thinks a bachelor's degree is the be all end all) That and she thinks because I'll be in a field like Emergency Medical Services that I won't have the time for a family or time to even find somebody because I will be eternally thought of as "one of the guys"

Here is something to consider.. I myself and some others not only have a Bachelor's degree but advanced degrees as well. True many do not, but don't assume anything... In regards to women in the field, those that work with me primary love working because we do 24 hour shifts (10 a month). This allows 20 days a month at home..

Now consider this.. We have a employee who has NEVER missed one of his son's football games. This is remarkable because he started playing football in the 4'th grade & now is playing college ball and will be graduating next year... So think about it. Sure, there are holidays and weekends you will miss, as any public profession does. There are fewer and fewer jobs that 9-5 M-Fri. ..

Again, one will have to do what you will want to do.... Mom is smart looking out for her daughter, but she is not going to be the one that has to go to work for you either...

Good luck!

R/r 911

 

[KEVD18]

strong work bringing back a two year dead thread.....

 

[paramedic'11]

I didn't really realize it was dead and I wasn't sure I was going to get an answer back, but I seriously needed the information and it was nothing that my first responder friend knew about, so I figured I may as well have given it a shot and saw what came of it

 

[Ridryder911]

I didn't really realize it was dead and I wasn't sure I was going to get an answer back, but I seriously needed the information and it was nothing that my first responder friend knew about, so I figured I may as well have given it a shot and saw what came of it

No problems, older and more dead threads have been brought back to life, just wished I could do the same in my job..