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So I originally went into college to get into accounting but over time I've realized that it's just not for me. I couldn't live my life in a cubicle doing mundane work, sure they make decent money but do they really enjoy their life? Probably not...
My community college has a program where you get an "Associates in EMS".
It works from EMT-B through Medic. I was considering doing this program and their firefighting program too.
I'm 18, started college when I was 17 though. Am I being foolish for turning down a guaranteed 60k+ job to be a lowly firefighter?
Are there any other EMT/Paramedic/Firefighting guys out there that could tell me what life is like?
Not to discourage you, but the government/public service jobs are in short supply thanks to many governments running budget deficits and to add insult to injury, competition for them is fierce. I would stick with accounting if I were you.
EMS has a reputation as being low paying, or at least not worth the average wages. It's one of those jobs you do because you love it. That's what I've always been told though. Firefighting seems cool... Your paid whether your fighting fires or sleeping for a 24 hr shift. Pay can be pretty decent. I've know many who have or currently do it and enjoy it. Competitive though, and budget constraints are not helping that situation. On the bright side, most police officers I know recommend this one for a career
Well you definately want to be happy in your job I have had friends that were firefighters and they loved the job. EMT would be a great career but the pay is very low.
You need to do whatever is going to make you happy at the end of the day.
I have a friend who tried to do that program. He did the simple ride-alongs and then they recommended he do more of them as his skills weren't good enough to do the next level. He got discouraged and quit. They also told him getting on with the FD was hard as you had to know someone. Here, the FDs send EMTs before the ambulance comes w/the paramedic.
Another choice is military service as a medic. They get preferential hiring later.
Lowly? That's funny. In Las Vegas, they have great retirement and make close to 100K per year. And they usually work less than 40 hours a week. I'd take it in a New York second!
I worked at a County Fire Department for a number of years (5).
FF usually work 24 hours on / 48 hours off - lots have a small side job for extra money. Usually have good, county benefits. I was/am a Paramedic - always on the med unit, was not crosstrained as a FF. Pay was ok. Gets old getting up all hours of the night, some exciting calls, mostly crap (drunks, drugs, domestic incidents). You're young though, you can deal with it for a while. Usually have both County and a seperate firefighter retirement deal - lots stay for the full 20 to get that.
Also as an EMT/Medic - can work at numerous smaller transport services - some may be 911, some not. Inter hospital transfers, Dr appt for nursing home patients, transport home from hospital, etc. Less pay and benefits than a County, but can be fun.
In less populated areas the local hospital may provide 911 services for the county - so hospital bennies and pay with 911 calls.
It was a fun time but i wasnt going to cross train, so no promotion if non crosstrained as a FF, at least where i was.
Good Luck.
There is no guaranteed job waiting for you. Expect to make $10 an hour on a private medic as an EMT, maybe up to $15 an hour with your paramedic cert. Programs like this are cranking out way more graduates than jobs, so don't fool yourself or let a school recruiter fool you. They are in the business of filling seats. There are also many FT firefighters through out the country that make significantly less than 60K a year. You generally have to take a civil service test (and do well on it), and then jump through a series of pre-employment hoops and hope you get selected. This doesn't include all of the lay offs happening around the country. My city hasn't hired FFs in years. I'm not telling you not to pursue it, but you need to open your eyes and have realistic expectations about what you are getting yourself into.
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