EMS in SLC / surrounding areas (Salt Lake City, West Valley City: transport companies, credit, school)

[macncheese]

I am a paramedic working in a moderately-busy area (approximately 10,000 calls / year of varying acuity). Not liking the east coast environment, I have decided to move west. Since I know people in SLC, that is my first choice of destinations, however I'm trying to find some information and am coming up blank.

Who is the major 911 provider in SLC? I read that the FD has ALS-engines and that they respond, but are contracted with Southwest for the transporting units, however, going to the Southwest website only nets me information about their Arizona locations, nothing about SLC. I have also seen that Gold Cross is a pretty big player for ambulance services, too, but that they appear to be strictly interfacility and private standbys. Also, do the hospitals hire medics as ER or cardiac techs?

If you go into the suburbs, are all the medics required to be FF/medics, or do they hire folks who really don't want to run into burning buildings?

What is the pay like? Right now I'm making about 16/hr; while I understand that overall cost of living is cheaper in SLC than where I'm living now, I would like to be able to make roughly the same amount as I am now. Thanks!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I think it's hard to get hired if you're not a FF. They are the 1st responders and then the ambulance comes. I have a young friend who is an EMT and is going to school up in Logan to get his Paramedic courses (they offer college credit for it). He said is it really hard to get hired on if you're not a FF. This is just one person's opinion but he is in the field.

[Zionide]

I don't know anything about the particulars of the EMS business, other than that Gold Cross and Southwest are the two big names, but I can tell you that most of the valley's 911 services (most all cities EXCEPT Salt Lake City) are routed through VECC (Valley Emergency Communications Center). Their website is Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center - VECC

Maybe someone there can give you a rundown of how things are set up here?

[macncheese]

Thanks to you both; the VECC link gave me a couple leads.

Sadly, though, it looks like I'll have to put my 911 preference on hold, unless I choose to move to a different state.

[Tim Tim Tim]

I was really looking into becoming a firefighter and honestly its a joke. I Think the emt stuff i saw was paying like 10 bucks an hour. Getting in the fire department is hard as hell, you pretty much need your FF, EMT and parametic to get in. last i heard there were like 1500 appliactions for like 50 jobs.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Macncheese,

I offer a couple of different viewpoints. Was the information you found for all municipalities in Salt Lake County? Or, did you check Salt Lake City only? Looking recently at the largest cities in UT, Sandy, West Valley City, Provo-Orem, Ogden, Davis County (Syracuse or Layton areas) let alone Logan to the north and St. George and/or Cedar City to the south are options to check as well). If it is a law in UT, that is one thing. If it is a Salt Lake County requirement, it may not be in other counties. I don't know the laws, just offering some thoughts.

Also, have you ever done Air Rescue as the paramedic? That is worth looking into, if you like trauma.

Most people from the east and south are honestly shocked at the amount of trauma in the Intermountain West.

If possible, I'd look at some of the smaller areas where hospitals may hire EMTs without massive firefighting experience. You may want to contact some of those hospitals.

Also, neighboring states such as WY, ID and NV may have different laws. My understanding is places like Wendover (partly in NV and partly in UT) can't get enough trained personnel. It may be that casinos hire their own staff, I honestly don't know.

Hopefully, I've given you one or more ideas of where you can follow up. Smaller communities have a harder time getting the professionals trained at the level the hospitals need.


If the time isn't right now, that doesn't mean it never will be. Hang in there...

MSR

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Hospitals here do hire EMTs, per my EMT friend, but they function as med techs; inserting IVs, drawing blood, etc. Pretty routine for an adrenaline junkie who likes to go on ALS runs (advanced life-saving)

[macncheese]

Mtn States Resident - yes, I actually pulled up Utah's list of ALS EMS providers in the entire state; it appears that Utah is one of those states where all 911 ambulances are fire-based and closely mixed in with the fire services. However, I did see that Murray will sometimes hire pure paramedics who don't want to cross-train as firefighters, so they're my next phone call.

It isn't a law, if an ambulance is fire-based or a private service, it is more a preference. I'm attempting to stay within a couple hours of SLC, since that is where all my friends live.

Air rescue - helicopters - yes, I've looked into them, but I don't meet their requirements. Another few years, perhaps. But yes, thank you for the ideas, I've been pulling up the various hospitals and craigslist, looking for a medical assistant position or a ER / ICU / telemetry tech position, since a lot of times hospitals will hire paramedics for those spots. But, there are also private transport companies. It won't be 911, no, but it will still be a job that I'm trained to do.

Tim Tim Tim - no, nobody in this field is out there to get rich off of it, we're all in it for different reasons. Why? That's a question that has no one real answer.

[Tim Tim Tim]

I didnt expect to get rich but if im going to school for a career that requires alot of dangers. I expect to not live in poverty. I am moving back to FL now and still may go and start schooling for the fire department. Atleast they start in the mid 40's a year. Still not rich by any means but atleast ill be able to feed myself