Rural Metro San Diego

LACoGurneyjockey

LACoGurneyjockey

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There haven't been any recent threads on R/M San Diego and I recently became interested in relocating there. I've been working 911 in Kern County for the last year or so on an ALS truck, with BLS only fire so I know it would be an adjustment.
Anyone currently working there with info on pay, working conditions, hiring process, etc.
What is the ratio of IFT to 911. How does 911 work in SD county with Fire. ALS trucks or BLS transports with a fire medic on board? What's their coverage area?
Just as much info as possible to get some current information on the company and if it's worth it to apply there.
 
I don't work for R/M so my info may be spotty, but I have a number of friends who do.

AMR runs 911 on the north and south sides of the county with R/M holding the actual city contract. In the eastern part of the county, it's mostly FDs. Most of the gossip is that Falck is going to come in and underbid R/M for the 911 contract next year, but it's just gossip. R/M has a long history with the city, if you want an interesting read, look up "San Diego Medical Services Enterprise"

The BLS units run IFT almost exclusively, and R/M holds Sharp's IFT contract. R/M's daughter company Pacific Ambulance holds the IFT contracts for Scripps and UCSD, and I believe that they turn calls to each other in order to keep response times up. But in essence R/M has an IFT monopoly in the county for the high volume systems.

My understanding is SD has no IFT medics so if you're a medic or on an ALS rig, you're doing 911.

ALS trucks are mostly bridged, with some dual medic.

I think generally R/M wants 6 months on their IFT shifts before you go onto a bridge unit, but you obviously have much more marketable experience than most EMTs in SD.
 
As an EMT would it be possible to come in and work on a 911 unit immediately? How bout shifts, 12s? 24s? I assume OT is pretty available with a company that size.
How was morale when you were there? And what's the call volume like in SD city?
 
LACo, I work for R/M in SD. I shot you a PM.
 
Laco, its pribably gonna be a big change in ems compared to Kern! Lol

@CodeBru1984
You mind posting all that info on here, mostly so other people can see when they have the same questions and they don't start another thread. I myself wouldn't mind just some little facts about down there.
 
TRSpeed said:
Laco, its pribably gonna be a big change in ems compared to Kern! Lol

@CodeBru1984
You mind posting all that info on here, mostly so other people can see when they have the same questions and they don't start another thread. I myself wouldn't mind just some little facts about down there.
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@TRSpeed, sure.

In regards to R/M. You will be starting on BLS and will be eligible to test into the ALS side of the company when the need arises, unless you are already a paramedic (they make exceptions for people who are already paramedics). Currently, they are about two bridge classes behind and a waiting list of individuals wanting to bridge over to the ALS side of the company. Pay starts out at $10/hr for BLS EMTs. Medics start out at a higher rate. Unfortunately only SD County experience is what is factored in when pay is considered. As you may already know, SDFD has fire/medics on their engines and as a R/M EMT on the ALS side, you often are a "taxi driver" for the fire department. The RFP that was supposed to be released for the City of SD 911 contract has been thrown out by the State of California meaning that R/M will keep the SD City 911 contract until further notice. Any other questions let me know.
 
What do medics start at? I'm assuming even as a medic you won't do much since the FD has control. ? Unless the FD doesn't ride in on most ALS calls. Do you guys use EMD appropriately? How are shifts?
 
@TRSpeed. I'm not sure of the rate that new hire medics start at, I can try and find out. On the calls that the FF/PM doesn't ride in on, the transport medic is in charge. The FF/PM rides in with the transport medic on any acute call, or multi patient non-acute call.

EMD is utilized to screen all incoming 911 calls and dispatch the appropriate responders wether it be a BLS unit, or an ALS engine and ALS ambulance to the scene.

In regards to shifts BLS is broken down into 10hr or 12hr cars, while ALS is broken down into 10hr, 12hr, or 24hr cars. Most of the 12hr and 24hr ALS units are housed alongside SDFD apparatus in their respective fire stations. We have roughly one dozen ALS float units that are assigned pre determined posts that augment the station cars. LMK if you have any further questions.
 
Most medics are hired as emts and make Emt starting wages. Once you finished field training and get signed off you make around 13 an hour.

Depends on the crew but most box medics assume control of the pt once turn over is given on scene.
 
wirk242 said:
Most medics are hired as emts and make Emt starting wages. Once you finished field training and get signed off you make around 13 an hour.
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Thanks for adding that additional information. Can't believe I forgot to include that!
 
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