Do you think mid-thirties is too old to become a female EMT Paramedic?

Question

I've been volunteering as an EMT-B for 15 years in Search and Rescue and Ski Patrol. I work as a Project Manager in my 9-5 job. I'm getting bored of that and would like to switch to being an EMT-P. I'm used to earning $80K to $90K/year as a PM, so it might be too tough financially depending on the hit. (I live in So Cal where my mortgage is outrageous [$3K a month] for a tiny house in a bad neighborhood).

I’m afraid my only option is the Fire Department since I think they have a monopoly on the Paramedic work.

What do you think? What do the Paramedics out there think?

Thanks,

Answer 1

If you can do search and rescue, then there is no question you can do it from a physical standpoint. However, as someone who just finished medic school, I can tell you with 100% honesty it is hard as hell.

Most people don't think about this, but we forget how to go to school. We forget about how we did things in high school or college. You need to remember how to study, and believe me, you will need to study a lot. Medic school is not like an EMT class. It is much harder. Keep in mind firefighters and police often take and pass EMT, so it can't be too hard (joking...I love police and firefighters...when I'm being robbed...or my house is on fire...please pick up when I call 911)

Medic school is full year of classes, and some are very hard. You should evaluate whether or not you can do it as a career, because medic school can be a full time thing with classes, ambulance, and hospital time. Is it worth it to take a whole year off to be a volunteer? Another question you should ask yourself is: is it worth the cost? I don't want to discourage you from becoming a medic. Good medics are needed, and admire anyone who does the job we do, but this should not be an easy decision. If you have any question about medic school, feel free to email me. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Answer 2

There's lots of paramedics and EMTs that started their careers later in life. Expect a cut in pay, though. As a paramedic in Alabama, I make around 30,000 a year. Paramedics elsewhere tend to earn 40,000 ish a year, and medics working in the fire dept tend to make more (probably around 60,000 a year).
The only problem about getting on with a fire department is that you will have to pass their stringent physical strength requirements. As long as you work out regularly, and train for the agility/strength test, you should be fine. There is a woman at the company I work for who is 40 years old and testing to become a firefighter later this year.
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

If you can do the physical end of it, go for it.

Answer 4

you are never to old to do what you want to do as long as you have the want to!

Answer 5

Hell no.