CentralCalEMT
Forum Captain
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I do not want to come across as condescending or as a know it all, and if I do, then I am sorry.
However, it seems that almost every day there is a thread on here from someone in SoCal (LA/OC mainly) who really wants to get into EMS, run 911, get experience, see crazy things, ect. However, they want to do so, close to home. They are not willing to commute or relocate. The sad reality, is in Los Ageles or Orange Counties, you will probably not run 911, and when you do, it will not be in an ALS unit. No matter what anyone says, you are at the beck and call of the fire department. An even greater number get on with companies running transfers all day, seeing emergencies only as an occasional back up 911 call, when they roll up on them or their dialysis patient takes a turn for the worse. As a result, they water down their EMS experience. They get quickly burned out. They get a distaste for EMS. I know because I was one of them and so were several of my friends.
Getting back to my relocation point. I realize that there are a lot of people who for family or personal reasons are not able to up and move out of LA/OC. I totally understand. However, to those of you who can relocate but choose not to because you like the "comforts" of a big city, don't want to live in a smaller town, want to be close to the beach, ect. I have one question? Is possibly sacrificing your future/career worth it to have those comforts. Is getting burned out wishing you were more active in the EMS process worth being able to have 10 Starbucks within a mile of your loft apartment. For some of you the answer is yes and that is great. However, speaking from personal experience, sometimes, the best move you can make in life is to leave your comfort zone and try something new. I moved to Bakersfield for medic school not knowing a single person up here. I knew nothing about the area, other than it was an area where a paramedic can be a paramedic. Let me tell you, it was the best career move I have made. Now I am not saying this type of change is for everyone. However, I believe there are some on these boards who could benefit from the change of scenery. Let me tell you, the experience out here is second to none. Even if you are an EMT, you are your paramedics lifeline. I simply could not function without my EMT. So sometimes it is good to look outside the box. Sometimes the grass is greener and any other cliche you might want to say. I just wanted to give some of you food for thought.
Here are just some of the California Counties where you can be a single function medic and run ALS as well as come of the compaies:
Kern (Hall, Liberty, Kern, Delano)
Tulare (Imperial, American Visalia, AMR, Exeter, Lifestar)
Fresno (American, Sequioa Safety Council)
Kings (American)
Madera (Sierra, Pistoressi)
Ventura (AMR, Gold Coast)
Santa Barbara (AMR)
San Luis Obisbo (San Luis, Cambria Ambulance)
Riverside (AMR)
San Bernardino (AMR, Desert, Baker EMS, Morongo Basin EMS)
Imperial (Gold Cross)
However, it seems that almost every day there is a thread on here from someone in SoCal (LA/OC mainly) who really wants to get into EMS, run 911, get experience, see crazy things, ect. However, they want to do so, close to home. They are not willing to commute or relocate. The sad reality, is in Los Ageles or Orange Counties, you will probably not run 911, and when you do, it will not be in an ALS unit. No matter what anyone says, you are at the beck and call of the fire department. An even greater number get on with companies running transfers all day, seeing emergencies only as an occasional back up 911 call, when they roll up on them or their dialysis patient takes a turn for the worse. As a result, they water down their EMS experience. They get quickly burned out. They get a distaste for EMS. I know because I was one of them and so were several of my friends.
Getting back to my relocation point. I realize that there are a lot of people who for family or personal reasons are not able to up and move out of LA/OC. I totally understand. However, to those of you who can relocate but choose not to because you like the "comforts" of a big city, don't want to live in a smaller town, want to be close to the beach, ect. I have one question? Is possibly sacrificing your future/career worth it to have those comforts. Is getting burned out wishing you were more active in the EMS process worth being able to have 10 Starbucks within a mile of your loft apartment. For some of you the answer is yes and that is great. However, speaking from personal experience, sometimes, the best move you can make in life is to leave your comfort zone and try something new. I moved to Bakersfield for medic school not knowing a single person up here. I knew nothing about the area, other than it was an area where a paramedic can be a paramedic. Let me tell you, it was the best career move I have made. Now I am not saying this type of change is for everyone. However, I believe there are some on these boards who could benefit from the change of scenery. Let me tell you, the experience out here is second to none. Even if you are an EMT, you are your paramedics lifeline. I simply could not function without my EMT. So sometimes it is good to look outside the box. Sometimes the grass is greener and any other cliche you might want to say. I just wanted to give some of you food for thought.
Here are just some of the California Counties where you can be a single function medic and run ALS as well as come of the compaies:
Kern (Hall, Liberty, Kern, Delano)
Tulare (Imperial, American Visalia, AMR, Exeter, Lifestar)
Fresno (American, Sequioa Safety Council)
Kings (American)
Madera (Sierra, Pistoressi)
Ventura (AMR, Gold Coast)
Santa Barbara (AMR)
San Luis Obisbo (San Luis, Cambria Ambulance)
Riverside (AMR)
San Bernardino (AMR, Desert, Baker EMS, Morongo Basin EMS)
Imperial (Gold Cross)
)