Rural, AMR, Falk and the rest. I need your opinions...

Madclown

Forum Ride Along
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
Points
3
I keep hearing about how these companies are awful places to work, but I'm having a hard time pinning down specific reasons about why they are so bad. I'm a new EMT-B and about to start working part-time for one. I understand they are low paying jobs, but it seems people are still able to make a living working for these companies. Is this true? I don't mind working a few extra shifts a week, if I were ever to go full-time, but can I support a family working for one of these companies?

I would really like to hear specific reasons/personal experiences that details why these companies have such a bad reputation from their employees.

I would especially like to hear from anyone in Washington State that has experience with these companies.
 
I actually rather enjoy my part time AMR job and I think I'd do ok full time there if I could get rid any sort of feelings of ambition. Most EMS jobs don't pay particularly well, especially for EMTs. But as you say, they pay enough especially with some OT here and there. And you're working with other people in the same boat as you, so everyone bonds over the collective "suck." What I think truly gets people down about working for private EMS companies (of any size) is that they look at the management as spineless and unwilling to have the employees back. And often times, they are right. The problem is that management needs to keep the operation profitable and with payroll being the biggest expense, they will have to often make cuts or do something that angers the already lower-employees.

That is not to say that there isn't a lot bad management in the public sector, I just see it happening for different reasons.
 
In my experience every local operation is different. As long as the money is coming in corporate tends to leave well alone.
 
I tagged you in another post where I shared a long detailed description on my first company. I think that's the kind of personal experience you're looking for. Mine is the truth... And it ends well.

Enduring the suck is just part of the job until you move up or move on.
 
Back
Top