Where does WEMT work

[Meimei]

So i am still highschool but I know for sure is I want to be more in the wilderness and help people, have an exciting job and being to see the world kinda.
So I was wondering if I were to become a WEMT would I work in the wilderness/rural areas more than in a city?
And would/could I travel?

 

[NPO]

So i am still highschool but I know for sure is I want to be more in the wilderness and help people, have an exciting job and being to see the world kinda.
So I was wondering if I were to become a WEMT would I work in the wilderness/rural areas more than in a city?
And would/could I travel?

WEMT is a certification, and no state recognises it as a license level. Very few (if any) jobs require it. It's can be a neat thing to have, but it will not open many if any doors for you.

I have my AWLS (Advanced Wilderness Life Support), but it was more for fun than anything.

Our local outdoors specialist @Summit could give you any places that might require it.

 

[Summit]

As NPO said, WEMT is rarely required except by a few outdoor education or guiding programs, which will usually allow a WFR in lieu of WEMT. Becoming an EMT as part of WEMT opens more doors for jobs. However, there are very few if any EMT doors internationally since you mention seeing the world (outside the USA, EMT means little). EMT is also a pathway to paramedic which could open some international doors.

The truth is there are very few wilderness medical jobs... even fewer involving travel. If you want to travel and see the country (and not the cities) via jobs that involve EMS certification, you'll find EMS is a secondary role in those jobs. Wildland fire and outdoor education are good examples. Pursuing experience in education in those fields will benefit you in that path. If less travel and more portability, add ski patrol and park ranger to your list of outdoor jobs that involve EMS.

 

[Gurby]

 

[Summit]

@Gurby makes a good point that the US Military is probably the surest way to travel the world, help, and have medical in the wilderness be your primary job function... and get paid!

Army 68W Medic
Air Force Pararescue
Navy Corpseman

I love Rise Against, although that isn't my favorite song of theirs.

 

[Gurby]

@Gurby makes a good point that the US Military is probably the surest way to travel the world, help, and have medical in the wilderness be your primary job function... and get paid!

Army 68W Medic
Air Force Pararescue
Navy Corpseman

I love Rise Against, although that isn't my favorite song of theirs.

Just couldn't help myself when he said "see the world".

Savior is a great song too!

 

[Gurby]

Navy Corpseman

 

[Jim37F]

Sorry, couldn't resisit:

 

[EpiEMS]

If less travel and more portability, add ski patrol and park ranger to your list of outdoor jobs that involve EMS.

+1

When I did my initial EMT, it was part of a program where WEMT was integrated. Several of the folks were wildland firefighters (or hoping to do that) and park rangers (and aspirants), so those seem like plausible roles, as well.

 

[DrParasite]

When I did my initial EMT, it was part of a program where WEMT was integrated. Several of the folks were wildland firefighters (or hoping to do that) and park rangers (and aspirants), so those seem like plausible roles, as well.

yes, but is it like being a Tactical EMT? or EMT-T? Meaning, if you have a job (SWAT medic for EMT-T), they will often send you to the specialized training, but having the training before hand won't help you get the job using what you are learning in the field you are trying to get into.

 

[EpiEMS]

yes, but is it like being a Tactical EMT? or EMT-T? Meaning, if you have a job (SWAT medic for EMT-T), they will often send you to the specialized training, but having the training before hand won't help you get the job using what you are learning in the field you are trying to get into.

I'm told it is helpful for Park Rangers, likewise for wildland FF, and could even be requisite for wildfire EMT jobs.

Yes, in general is it more of a "enhance your credentials to demonstrate interest" rather than a prerequisite.

 

[joshrunkle35]

I did it for search and rescue. It was very helpful. WEMT has three different components:
-if a state were to recognize WEMT, the goal would be to have expanded scope of practice when care is delayed more than 1 hour. I don’t think any states currently recognize WEMT. WEMT trains you in how to provide new skills for prolonged care. This is basically useless, though, since no states recognize WEMT as a provider level.
-WEMT provides training for an expanded role. This does not change your scope of practice, but adds training to legally defend your actions and your medical director’s protocols in an austere environment. Basically useless unless you work in an austere environment with reduced access to care AND you have a supportive medical director who has WALS training and protocols specific to your environment. (But the protocols cannot change or exceed your scope of practice)
-WEMT teaches you to think outside of the box, and “make” gear that you don’t have, but would otherwise be allowed to use if you had access to it. For example: making a splint out of tree branches and duct tape. In this aspect, WEMT really builds some great critical thinking skills and I think that for this reason it should be taken by every EMT.

 

[Ensihoitaja]

I'm told it is helpful for Park Rangers, likewise for wildland FF, and could even be requisite for wildfire EMT jobs.

Yes, in general is it more of a "enhance your credentials to demonstrate interest" rather than a prerequisite.

There really aren’t any wildland fire EMT jobs. Most crews have a couple EMTs on them, but the primary job is fire. Most Fireline EMTs and medics work for cooperating agencies or contractors. There’s a few that are regular agency employees and some ADs (casual-hire government jobs, you have to have a sponsoring agency for this).

 

[EpiEMS]

Most crews have a couple EMTs on them, but the primary job is fire.

Didn't realize that - I had seen some EMT/Medic postings, maybe it varies by region?

 

[NPO]

There really aren’t any wildland fire EMT jobs. Most crews have a couple EMTs on them, but the primary job is fire. Most Fireline EMTs and medics work for cooperating agencies or contractors. There’s a few that are regular agency employees and some ADs (casual-hire government jobs, you have to have a sponsoring agency for this).

This isn't entirely true.

Most firefighters on large assignments are EMTs or medics, but they only carry basic first aid stuff.

At the command post you'll find a "Fireline Medic" usually a firefighter paramedic in a pickup with a complement of ALS gear. Usually this is a role filled by one of the participating agencies, but there are also private fireline medic jobs.



Additionally, more and more often ambulances are being brought to staging for the duration of the fire.

Correction; actually you're right. Because every dedicated medical resource will be ALS. I overlooked the fact that you specifically said EMT .