Tulsa Area EMS

ArcticOkie

ArcticOkie

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Hey all!

First time poster here. I was wondering if anyone is on here who CURRENTLY works for or very recently worked for EMSA or any of the other EMS services in the Tulsa,OK area.

I am starting an EMT-B class in the fall and am wanting to pick some brains about the different services.

I have read a bit about these services on this forum from years ago but am wanting to get the current details about the different services.

Thanks in advance and thank you for this forum. I have enjoy the posts so far.

AO
 
Well, my EMSA knowledge is dated, but nothing has changed. Pafford is a way better place to be a basic. At EMSA, you only drive and assist- no teching a call for you.
 
Ok great. Thanks for the reply! What do you mean by “teching a call”? I see this in your posts from previous EMSA talk as well. Does this mean no hands on for the basic or something along those lines?
 
ArcticOkie said:
Ok great. Thanks for the reply! What do you mean by “teching a call”? I see this in your posts from previous EMSA talk as well. Does this mean no hands on for the basic or something along those lines?
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It means that you will never be in the back with a patient, the paramedic will. You’ll drive the ambulance. Seems to be a common thing with private services, whom then later wonder why their EMTs are so rusty with skills.
 
NightHealer865 said:
It means that you will never be in the back with a patient, the paramedic will. You’ll drive the ambulance. Seems to be a common thing with private services, whom then later wonder why their EMTs are so rusty with skills.
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Oh ok thanks!
 
Basically, the money is similar to local and regional competitors, you'll be on 12-hour shifts with limited patient contact and no leadership opportunities, you'll drive 300ish miles a day, and you'll get really good at driving an F450 and watching your partner do paperwork, patient care and gripe.

Equipment is better (powerloads, vents, etc) than most competitors.

If you want to actually do stuff as an EMT, Pafford in Claremore gives you a lot more opportunities and a better schedule for schools.
 
RocketMedic said:
Basically, the money is similar to local and regional competitors, you'll be on 12-hour shifts with limited patient contact and no leadership opportunities, you'll drive 300ish miles a day, and you'll get really good at driving an F450 and watching your partner do paperwork, patient care and gripe.

Equipment is better (powerloads, vents, etc) than most competitors.

If you want to actually do stuff as an EMT, Pafford in Claremore gives you a lot more opportunities and a better schedule for schools.
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Ok this is great information! Thanks a ton.
 
I work for emsa in OKC as a basic, and I have seen people saying you don't tech calls, only drive. I'm my experience I've only had two partners like that, most others were the opposite, if its in your scope of practice either in state protocols or agency specific(emsa allows basics to administer additional meds at basic level) most people oveI worked with will have you do as much as possible. But also if you don't show an interest in doing it and only act like you want to drive they're not going to ask more than a couple of times before they just do it themselves. I've had a few partners at emsa that not only encourage use of all your skills but will take the extra time to help you learn extra stuff like basic 12 lead interpretation if for no reason other than you seeing it before they do and being able to get their attention quickly for stemis and other serious things
 
Geremy Harding said:
I work for emsa in OKC as a basic, and I have seen people saying you don't tech calls, only drive. I'm my experience I've only had two partners like that, most others were the opposite, if its in your scope of practice either in state protocols or agency specific(emsa allows basics to administer additional meds at basic level) most people oveI worked with will have you do as much as possible. But also if you don't show an interest in doing it and only act like you want to drive they're not going to ask more than a couple of times before they just do it themselves. I've had a few partners at emsa that not only encourage use of all your skills but will take the extra time to help you learn extra stuff like basic 12 lead interpretation if for no reason other than you seeing it before they do and being able to get their attention quickly for stemis and other serious things
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But you still aren’t allowed to ride a call into the ER. Or on a discharge.
 
Why doesn't OK allow BLS to do BLS runs?

When I worked in Indianapolis I did all BLS runs with most of the medics I worked with, and when I was a medic I traded with most of my partners, although I had 2 that refused to let me do BLS runs.
 
Geremy Harding said:
I work for emsa in OKC as a basic, and I have seen people saying you don't tech calls, only drive. I'm my experience I've only had two partners like that, most others were the opposite, if its in your scope of practice either in state protocols or agency specific(emsa allows basics to administer additional meds at basic level) most people oveI worked with will have you do as much as possible. But also if you don't show an interest in doing it and only act like you want to drive they're not going to ask more than a couple of times before they just do it themselves. I've had a few partners at emsa that not only encourage use of all your skills but will take the extra time to help you learn extra stuff like basic 12 lead interpretation if for no reason other than you seeing it before they do and being able to get their attention quickly for stemis and other serious things
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Awesome! Thanks for this information. I’m ok with not being able to ride in the back if that’s not protocol but am definitely wanting to learn as much as possible while being an emt before going to paramedic school. Are you going to do medic? The emsa in-house program?
 
johnrsemt said:
Why doesn't OK allow BLS to do BLS runs?

When I worked in Indianapolis I did all BLS runs with most of the medics I worked with, and when I was a medic I traded with most of my partners, although I had 2 that refused to let me do BLS runs.
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OK does. The EMSA contract with OKC states that the paramedic will attend every call. Period. They have a pilot program that is testing some BLS trucks on BLS IFT calls though.
 
NightHealer865 said:
OK does. The EMSA contract with OKC states that the paramedic will attend every call. Period. They have a pilot program that is testing some BLS trucks on BLS IFT calls though.
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What a ground breaking trial.
 
New frontiers every day @ EMSA. Y'all have ketamine yet?
 
NightHealer865 said:
OK does. The EMSA contract with OKC states that the paramedic will attend every call. Period. They have a pilot program that is testing some BLS trucks on BLS IFT calls though.
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Thanks for the info. In school now and will maybe be looking to apply there when finished.
 
I would closely investigate every service. EMSA is only the name of the trust that manages the EMS in both Tulsa (East) & OKC (West). AMR is the contracted server. Now; investigate that corporation. EMSA is a good service (for a large and provider) & the EMS Medical Director likes to be published and try new things. It is a protocol driven service (minimal autonomy) and has moderate turnaround other EMS services, there is limited growth within but one will obtain great experience in short transport within an urban to metropolitan response areas. The medical control is the same for the FD, PD, SO.. etc.; so there is some continuity. Local FD has their own EMS response along with EMSA for treatment and transport.

Within reason time, many of the surrounding cities have contracted with outside providers and as usual there is always the rumors that FD will assume the role for EMS.

Alike other EMS providers, they have some outstanding providers & some that " that have a great learning opportunity". I am personal friends with many of the administrative and field providers and know that many really are empathetic.

Good luck in your future!
 
Ridryder911 said:
I would closely investigate every service. EMSA is only the name of the trust that manages the EMS in both Tulsa (East) & OKC (West). AMR is the contracted server. Now; investigate that corporation. EMSA is a good service (for a large and provider) & the EMS Medical Director likes to be published and try new things. It is a protocol driven service (minimal autonomy) and has moderate turnaround other EMS services, there is limited growth within but one will obtain great experience in short transport within an urban to metropolitan response areas. The medical control is the same for the FD, PD, SO.. etc.; so there is some continuity. Local FD has their own EMS response along with EMSA for treatment and transport.

Within reason time, many of the surrounding cities have contracted with outside providers and as usual there is always the rumors that FD will assume the role for EMS.

Alike other EMS providers, they have some outstanding providers & some that " that have a great learning opportunity". I am personal friends with many of the administrative and field providers and know that many really are empathetic.

Good luck in your future!
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Hey Ridryder911! Thanks so much for the reply! Have you worked for them in the past? I have heard both good and bad about EMSA and also was aware of the structure there regarding the AMR contact and also the trust behind EMSA. It is amazing what you can find out through this message board and the internet in general! People I have spoken with say both good and bad about EMSA and I try to take everything said, both good and bad, with a grain of salt.

When hearing what people have to say, I try to adhere to the things said over and over. One thing for sure is that I will get experience there, and to me that is a need. I feel there is a possibility that a slower EMS system that was based out of a station would be more enjoyable in some respects but I am not 100% sure I would want to start a career there from scratch ya know? Maybe when I am ready to slow down a bit that would be more appealing. Now, how long it takes for that desire to slow down sinks in, who knows right?

I know next to nothing about EMS besides what I have gathered through reading articles and messages here, listening to podcasts, and having three classes so far in my schooling. From what I can gather, no EMS organization is talked about in a positive light 100% of the time. This is also true for every workplace I have ever been a part of in my 35 years of life. It comes down to what place has enough positive aspects to make the job doable.

Hopefully wherever I end up, providing I get hired somewhere, fit enough of the criteria to make it a decent place to work for a long period of time. Fingers crossed!

Thanks again for the reply.
 
I'm going to throw my opinion and hat in the ring here regarding EMSA and AMR: it is what it is, you're just a number, and the experience (2* call volume and diversity) is difficult to beat...until it isn't.

Calls will happen to you, everywhere. You're right in that it is easier to get comfortable with EMS in a busy system, but in the EMSA system, you're also not developing a particularly challenging set of skills beyond your first 6-12 months as an EMT, and you'll arguably do a lot less than your peers at places like Pafford in terms of decision-making, etc.

I personally...dislike certain senior leadership at EMSA, because I had negative personal interactions with them and don't really respect them or their opinions, but that isn't a factor in your decision. Just know that the winds at any service can shift very quickly, and that you're not valued to any great extent, and the trust has no issues throwing good people under the bus for nonexistent or minor issues.
 
ArcticOkie said:
I know next to nothing about EMS besides what I have gathered through reading articles and messages here, listening to podcasts, and having three classes so far in my schooling. From what I can gather, no EMS organization is talked about in a positive light 100% of the time. This is also true for every workplace I have ever been a part of in my 35 years of life. It comes down to what place has enough positive aspects to make the job doable.

Hopefully wherever I end up, providing I get hired somewhere, fit enough of the criteria to make it a decent place to work for a long period of time. Fingers crossed!

Thanks again for the reply.
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Sorry for the delay.. I only get on here every so often unlike I used to when I worked in the field. Dependent on where in Oklahoma you are considering. There are some very good Paramedic Life Support EMS to go from ground up if you are sincere. The rural areas are wanting EMT's and many are doing contracts to pay for medic schools, while obtaining experience. I have worked in both rural and large metro's. Personally, I find the most autonomous place to develop true skills in the rural areas. There is not a battalion that first responded and you are sometimes (dependent on location) with patient for hours not minutes. True metro areas one gets more calls experience but you have to ask (especially at a basic/driver level) how much "hands- on" will I really get?

Also, there are some FD based EMS, it is not the common provider. Third party, private, few hospitals and some FD's. Mostly FD's first response here with some towns having FD EMS/transports. Primarily, if you are outside the metro there are a large number of interfacility transfers. (critical patients & pays the bills). Air EMS is popular for scene flights.

I highly recommend in the OKC area:
EMStat- Norman
Midwest City EMS
REACT- Shawnee
Mercy- ?
Medic West- rural

For education: to Paramedic
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma State University

Best of Luck!

R/r 911
 
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