Any paramedics out there?

Question

Do you work for a fire department and do you like working along side firefighters? Would you prefer to work for a private company or province or city?

Answer 1

I've never worked for a fire department; my first and only medic job so far has been with a small private service. We rotate 911 calls with another private service in town, and have contracts to provide exclusive service with several local nursing homes. The fire department's medic unit also responds to all 911 calls in the county, and they are technically in charge of the scene. Honestly, it gets annoying. I'm a perfectly capable paramedic, and I get tired of being treated like a "stretcher jockey" by the fire department medics just because I work for a private service. I really emjoy working for a private service, but I wish I worked somewhere where the fire department didn't respond to medical 911 calls (except when called to help with lifting a heavy patient!).

There are pros and cons to both sides. Fire department medics usually make a lot more, but it can be a hard job to qualify for (they have the same physical testing as any other fire fighter). It can be a hard career choice for women and minorities to break into, especially in Alabama. The fire department usually rotates medics, so they work on the ambulance for a few weeks, and then on a fire truck for a few weeks. That's fine if you like firefighting, but if you'd rather run OUT of the burning building than into it, then that might be bothersome.

With a private service, the pay is usually less (really depends on where you work (medics can make from $10 an hour to $20 an hour not including overtime depending on exactly what kind of job they are doing, and what part of the country they work in). You don't have to even bother with firefighting, and the physical test (if any) is much less stringent. Hours are usually flexible (unlike most fire departments) and if you have an understanding boss, you can usually take time off to advance your education.

It's just a matter of setting yoru priorities, and finding out what works for you. And not all firefighter's are numbnuts like some of the ones I have to work for. I've heard some good stories, too.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

private co.