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hey guys i am new to FFN...but ive been reading your discussions and i really would value some input from you...here is my dilema..I am new to the fire/ems field..but i am addicted...i eat sleep and breathe this stuff..i have found my true calling. i have finished My EMT-B and just recently got on a volunteer FD.. while i am getting run time..i am still a rookie...my goal is to become a career ff...but in Ohio to do this almost every FD requires FF-2 and Paramedic...i am taking FF-2 in the summer.... and i found a Medic program to start in the fall(its rigourous..and accellerated(10 months) but has a really good rep..well anyways..i tested for there program and did really well..and the school is telling me i am a really good fit for the program..and people i have worked with are telling me i could do it..but the two peoples oppenion i value most(My Chief and ems Cord) and a little leary...they recommend at least 1 year experience as a basic before going any farther. my question is.. what are some of the pros and cons of jumping into medics quickly?
Any input will be greatly appricated.
Doug Roebuck
Stay Safe God bless!
Close Discussion Add Tags
Delete Discussion
hey guys i am new to FFN...but ive been reading your discussions and i really would value some input from you...here is my dilema..I am new to the fire/ems field..but i am addicted...i eat sleep and breathe this stuff..i have found my true calling. i have finished My EMT-B and just recently got on a volunteer FD.. while i am getting run time..i am still a rookie...my goal is to become a career ff...but in Ohio to do this almost every FD requires FF-2 and Paramedic...i am taking FF-2 in the summer.... and i found a Medic program to start in the fall(its rigourous..and accellerated(10 months) but has a really good rep..well anyways..i tested for there program and did really well..and the school is telling me i am a really good fit for the program..and people i have worked with are telling me i could do it..but the two peoples oppenion i value most(My Chief and ems Cord) and a little leary...they recommend at least 1 year experience as a basic before going any farther. my question is.. what are some of the pros and cons of jumping into medics quickly?
Any input will be greatly appricated.
Doug Roebuck
Stay Safe God bless!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris on
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Well I don't know that I would worry too much about jumping from basic to Paramedic. I mean being an EMT-B for a year would give you expirience I suppose. Buts it's not necessary.
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Permalink Reply by Greg Pierce on
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James is right, you dont need the experience to take the course, but a little experience to get the basics down could be beneficial to you in the long run, seeing that medic class is like calculus in college.....you should really know basic math before you take it on. I have been around for a few years, and this is what I have noticed more than once with newer people:
I have seen newer people (1 or 2 years in the dept) that really get "bitten by the bug" and try to accelerate their career by taking on class after class after class within a year or two which is great, but they never really become proficient at one skill before they move onto an advanced skill. They arent necessarily bad at the skill, but they arent necessarily good, either. So, after 2 years and having 7 classes from basics to advanced, they are OK at all of them, not not GOOD at any of them. I have seen it several times. They walk around boasting how they took all these advanced courses, but we all know that they are really a hack at all of them. Of course, I dont know you personally, and for all I know you might be some kind of EMS prodigy, and you might be able to pull it off. I am not trying to discourage you by any means. But most of us need to hone our basic skills before we tackle more. What ever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck!!
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Permalink Reply by Doug Roebuck on
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thanks for the reply...im kinda leaning towards taking the class..but we will see..i will have about 6 months experience before taking the paramedic class..so im trying to figure out if that is enough
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I hope everything works out dor you. I wish you the best of luck......
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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The decision to go straight to Paramedic needs to be (I think) dependent on the individual. Back in the stone age, I did just that. But, I grew up in the medical and funeral profession, so I was exposed to it at a very early age. The sciences in school were a breeze for me. Someone who is very adept in science, and has good common sense, should be able to do it easily.
There are those however, who try hard to just barely pass, or have a hard time grasping a concept say on basic anatomy, might have trouble. These types of students may do better getting a little street time before moving on.
10 months doesn't sound that accelerated to me, but I am not familiar with your state requirements. Remember though, an accelerated class is just that. There will be a ton of stuff coming at you at the same time. You may have to glean a lot of information on your own.
You know you better than anyone else. You need to consider your lifestyle, study and work habits, and how comfortable you are with your present knowledge and skills. Consider that along with what mentors or friends advise, and make your decision.
Just remember, your brothers and sisters are always ready to help. Good Luck.
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Permalink Reply by Tim on
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Doug,
For what it's worth. . . .
I am EMT-B on my fire deptartment and my goal is to be career full time FF within the next 5 years as well. I have found that the field is starting to turn more towards ALS medics so getting your paramedic is absolutly a good idea. Oldman is right tho the decision to go should be case by case person by person because everyone learns differently .
One thing that might help you. . . .I am not sure if you have this in Ohio but here in MA we have a Paramedic Assistant course for those that are already EMT-B. The course kinda helps you ease into the paramedic program a little easier and helps with the material. It's basically a prep course for the paramedic level. I am an EMT-B but I am PA certified and I am in the paramedic prgram right now, I am finding that I am having a much easier time following along with the program.
It is a rigorous program and if you have concerns on how you may handle the course, try looking into finding if there is a Paramedic assistant course available in your area.
Tim
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Permalink Reply by KEVIN DALY on
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IT IS ALL WELL IN GOOD THAT YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR CALLING , BUT MY PROBLEM WOULD BE STREET TIME AND YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A NEW EMT .AS AN EMT AS WELL IT IS ALOT DIFFERENT BEEN AN EMT THEN A PARAMEDIC AND HAVE SEEN SOME MEDIC THAT DID THAT JUMP STRAIGHT FROM EMT TO MEDIC I WOULD NOT WANT THEM WORKING ON ME . JUST MY TAUGHT
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Cosgrove on
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I don't see a problem with it, like some others have said its your call, only you know you! However, I know of 2 departments that do EMT-B and Medic school back to back. No street time in the middle. They all work out just fine. I would trust my life to any of them. Some did kinda get burnt out from all of the school time however. Good luck man. Best wishes -Matt
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to me some street time as an emt should be first to get your feet wet as some would say .its a big change going from an emt school and then medic school then going out on the street treating pt if you never did it be for thats all i am saying . i have seen some that have done it and made out ok , and some not so good. best wishes and good luck-kevin
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Permalink Reply by Melissa on
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I think a lot of it depends on how much street experience you get in your time between classes. I run with a small dept and we don't do a lot of calls. I went straight from basic to my intermediate. I wouldn't really recommend it. Sometimes I still feel a little lost trying to put everything together. If I would've had a little more experience as a basic and watched the medics a little more, I think I would be a lot better off. And like some one said on here, the basics that went straight to medic, I wouldn't want them working on me. But everyone is different.
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Permalink Reply by Ed on
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Hey Doug! I'll tell you that I've been a firefighter/EMT for 10 years and I would consider myself a "good EMT". But its taken me a while worth of riding with ambulance services, working the street, and pickin' people's brain to get to the point where I'm "comfortable". This absolutely biggest thing to remember is, in the fire service there is no substitution for "Street Smarts". Don't bog youself down with diving into all of the classes you can get. Let yourself use the knowledge you have. You'll be far more respected in the fire service for your wisdom than you will for your smarts. I'm telling you this, because I was JUST LIKE YOU 10 years ago. So to answer your question.. I agree with the Chief.. Give yourself time to learn the ropes of the service (in and out), then jump into the class...
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Permalink Reply by ANDREW PARKS on
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hey doug let me tell you this in the words of a new emt i just got my licenses in july of 2007 but have been running on an ambulance since 2002 if you want to get your paramedic lic take you time and study and yes i recommend the 1 year of experince it is great to know what it is really going to take when you start the program my suggestion is to run with some of the paramedics in your area that have been doing it a while and see what really happens
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