Why do medics with the FD make more?

[Tigger]

Some of these responses are dead on. if you want to be paid more, maybe try going to fire school and get hired on a fire department. That's what I did because I knew I didn't want to work IFT the rest of my life. Otherwise, if you're not happy or feel undervalued in this line of work....maybe it's time to switch careers (if you're able?)

Or just find a place that pays their people decently. It is not a necessity to become a firefighter to do alright working EMS.

 

[gotbeerz001]

Or just find a place that pays their people decently. It is not a necessity to become a firefighter to do alright working EMS.

The people who complain about pay are usually those who are unwilling to relocate for the job. The argument is often:
"I should be able to stay in my home town as an EMT-Basic and live an upper class lifestyle working part-time since I save babies for a living."

Those who tend to complain will complain regardless of their circumstances.

 

[triemal04]

The people who complain about pay are usually those who are unwilling to relocate for the job. The argument is often:
"I should be able to stay in my home town as an EMT-Basic and live an upper class lifestyle working part-time since I save babies for a living."

Those who tend to complain will complain regardless of their circumstances.

Or don't have the needed qualities for a high paying job...or the willingness to look for one...or the willingness to fight for better pay/benefits...or really any sort of self-responsibility or drive.

There are two common responses that come up with this topic, gotshirtz just mentioned one, "I'm a super cool lifesaver! I want to do whatever I want, whenever I want while I live in my dream home and nothing more and I want everything I want NOW! Waaaaaaaaaaaah!" The other comes up when whiners get told that to improve their lot it will take effort, potentially a lot of effort on their part, "Bbbbbbbut I'm so overworked, I just CAN'T do anything else...someone has to do it FOR ME while I sit back and wait! Waaaaaaaaaah!"

Pathetic.

Look at all the blue-collar jobs out there (and EMS walks a fine line between blue and white) or any profession that has generally good pay, good benefits, a retirement, good schedule and so forth: do you really think that it just happened like that? Do you really think that decades ago people in that job didn't have to go out and fight to make things better, and then keep pressure up to keep what they'd gained? Do you really think if EMS wants to the same it'll just be handed out on a silver platter without any individual work?

Wait...obviously the answer to that last question is a resounding "yes."

Pathetic.

 

[NomadicMedic]

I don't think ems walks a fine line between blue and white collar... it's clearly a blue collar, shift workin' vo-ed job. There's no real difference from a welder, electrician or plumber. Go to class, pass the course material, complete an apprenticeship, become certified, go to work.

 

[Generic]

The system that seems to be common in CA, FD ALS first response with private BLS txp seems to be a very poor decision.

Actually, once you get outside of Los Angeles and Orange counties, EMS systems are generally either FD ALS first response (sometimes xport too) with private ALS or FD BLS with private ALS. I think that there are many people on this board that are from LA/OC that the perception is skewed.