Well, it takes a strong desire to help others while having a few people bash you and a whole lot praise you. The hours can get long (especially a busy 24 hr shift), and in a lot of places the pay is still in the basement, oh and you have to be able to handle some grusome blood an guts some of the time. That being said I have over 34 yrs and have never regretted a minute of it. It only takes one save to make it all worth it.
Good luck and I wish you a long, happy, and most of all SAFE career.
visit every fire station in the jurisdiction that you are planning on working with... talk with folks and ask the questions posted in this forum. then young grasshopper, you will have your answers... : )
Permalink Reply by John on February 27, 2009 at 2:03pm
Lots of work in the medic part and possibly long hours, the pay can be so-so but the thrill of helping someone and knocking a fire out is great, on the downside, nasty motor vehicle accidents,gruesome scenes ETC.
I have no regrets other than I wish I would have started this years ago.
Get use to saying "thank you, sir or ma'am" a lot.
Along with learning FF/EMT, you will need to learn culinary (cooking) skills.
When you are finished with a task, ask what else needs to be done and then go and do it.
I know I'm leaving something out.
Ah, someone else will catch it.
Art
Thank you All for your advise... I need everyones input to it because I am 16 and help with the Ambulance Service and Fire Department and I hear advise and I learn by my mistakes. THANKS EVERYONE
Do what ever it takes to keep up with the ever evolving beast, known as the fire service. I think CPR has changed 50 times in the last 2 years!! Just keep training all the time. Even if you just had a class last year, take it again. Somthing has either changed, or you'll pick up on somthing you did'nt catch the last time you took it. It's always good to refresh! I try to get a new EMS protocall book every year too.
Im a Advanced EMT and i can tell u that it is alot of work, long hours, online classes and accident simulations. it is a amazing job. there is nothing like it.
Not to sound cocky but if we knew what to expect in this job, This job would be a lot easier and we wouldn't have as much fun.
1. Learn to think on the fly.
2. Always have another plan as a back up incase what your doing doesn't work and then have a back up to that plan.
3. Expect to be tested mentally as well as physically.
4. Expect to be rung through the wringer by the seasoned veterans until you have proven your self to them.