Working for a fire department.

J

Jacedc

Forum Probie
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
Points
1
This may seem like a weird question but is it possible to work for a fire department without being a firefighter? The reason I ask is I know certain Fire Departments have their own EMS attached unit and was wondering if it is a requirement to be a firefighter on top of being a Paramedic or EMT? Have you heard of any fire departments that don't require being a firefighter to work on their EMS unit?
 
Jacedc said:
This may seem like a weird question but is it possible to work for a fire department without being a firefighter? The reason I ask is I know certain Fire Departments have their own EMS attached unit and was wondering if it is a requirement to be a firefighter on top of being a Paramedic or EMT? Have you heard of any fire departments that don't require being a firefighter to work on their EMS unit?
Click to expand...

Where do you live? Because that will answer the question.

I work part-time/volunteer as a single role Paramedic for a fire department in North Carolina, but we're a rare breed.

Philly Fire has single role Paramedics.

Alexandria FD has single role Paramedics (I believe).

They aren't always easy to find, but departments are out there that won't make you put the wet stuff on the hot stuff.
 
Philadelphia FD*
Chicago FD
Detroit FD*
DC FEMS
San Fran FD
FDNY*
Baltimore FD

*= no cross trained staff. Others have medics that work fire but also have medics who do only ems.
 
St. Louis City proper still hires basics and medics who are not cross trained. Though they do require an in-house fire awareness class I believe just so you know what's going on at a fire scene. The St. Louis County suburbs usually are all cross trained.

Other fire departments (around here--Ohio--at least) will take medics who only have a 36 hour fire card or a FFI but most big departments require a FFII card and P-card before they will even look at your application.

Smaller departments will take medics/intermediates/basics only but will often require you to complete a 36 hour fire course in house.
 
Alexandria, VA has single role providers and does not require their medics to go through their fire academy.
 
I believe Sacramento Metro has single-role and cross-trained medics.
 
WuLabsWuTecH said:
St. Louis City proper still hires basics and medics who are not cross trained. Though they do require an in-house fire awareness class I believe just so you know what's going on at a fire scene. The St. Louis County suburbs usually are all cross trained.
Click to expand...

Saint Louis City EMS is a separate Division of the Fire Department so really they only share the name. They are usually stationed separately. Also, the pay is much lower than typical FD pay.

All Saint Louis County requires dual FF/Medic. The pay is outstanding
 
What is the advantage of depts requiring a dual ff/medic? or making you qualify and be a ff before medic?





WuLabsWuTecH said:
St. Louis City proper still hires basics and medics who are not cross trained. Though they do require an in-house fire awareness class I believe just so you know what's going on at a fire scene. The St. Louis County suburbs usually are all cross trained.

Other fire departments (around here--Ohio--at least) will take medics who only have a 36 hour fire card or a FFI but most big departments require a FFII card and P-card before they will even look at your application.

Smaller departments will take medics/intermediates/basics only but will often require you to complete a 36 hour fire course in house.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top