FDNY - Paramedic promo?

[brnsknFF]

Every Fire Department in the Nation is involved in EMS some way. Therefore those who choose to get EMS training and experience prior to getting the job can help in that aspect. Until they completely separate the two entities, I say go with your hearts desire, especially if it will help your career.

Now with that said; you already see what you'll have to deal with if you go that route. It is up to you to prove yourself, and prove that you can do the job and are well deserving.

I wonder, how much heat would an unemployed vet living in the city get if he scored 90 on the test?

[WD6956]

Every Fire Department in the Nation is involved in EMS some way. Therefore those who choose to get EMS training and experience prior to getting the job can help in that aspect.

Yes, but if a departments guidelines are that everyone has to have the training anyhow and includes it in thier academy, you can see why to some departments do not really care about those certs.

[CalmB4Storm]

Here is a cert you should look into, Spell Check!. Seriously, while i can work my way through and figure out what it is your trying to say, some people are going to give up and dismiss your posts because of the sheer number of spelling mistakes on even simple words. I am not trying to be mean, i am just trying to help. I sometimes type in a rush and make mistakes, but wow.

I'm not a big fan of forum spelling police but, DAMN, ETmedic252 you really come off as an illiterate. Not bashing you but you must understand that your posts will be viewed more on their errors than their content. Take it for what it's worth and slow down and re-read before you hit "submit reply".

As for the threads subject, it's been hashed out here and there enough. Statements like...:

No FDNY Firefighter that I have met face to face has had a problem with the FDNY-EMS promo guys since they have all been through the same academy as everyone else.

... are bull$hit. Anyone who makes that statement has not met too many FFs face to face. The EMS promo circumvents the merit system, plain and simple. If you think you can do that and be accepted by the 99% of the job who took the hard road, you're dead wrong.

This is a job where every man and woman is judged from their first day until the day they die. If your first day is sneaking in the job, it will follow you forever. You don't like that, don't do that.

Now, somebody put this thread to sleep with the thousand other threads started by those who think they can sneak in un-noticed.

[DennisTheMenace]

... are bull$hit. Anyone who makes that statement has not met too many FFs face to face. The EMS promo circumvents the merit system, plain and simple. If you think you can do that and be accepted by the 99% of the job who took the hard road, you're dead wrong.

This is a job where every man and woman is judged from their first day until the day they die. If your first day is sneaking in the job, it will follow you forever. You don't like that, don't do that.

How is taking a day off of work to take a test the hard road compaired to taking a a crappy job for a minimum of two years? I have talked to real life guys, these real life guys had no problems and they have been second, third, or more generation FDNY.... If you hold a grudge sorry, won't ever be my problem since even if I wanted to be FDNY, I am a few years past due to test.

[kolat06]

There will be others that go the EMS route because they are not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier and will squeak onto The Rock, work their hearts out and gain the title FDNY Firefighter just like everyone else who gets through in their class and once out on the job will work hard and no one will ever care how they got on the job. The guy who quits afte a couple of years is screwing over other guys that took the test just as much or more than the guy who went the EMS route with the lower scores.

If you can pass your emt-b and paramedic and be nationally registered you can't be that dumb. Especially since paramedic programs are usually an associates. I'm not saying civil service exams are cake either but, if they can pass their EMS Certs they should be able to study and be just as competitive taking the normal firefighter entrance test. Second thing if paramedic isn't a requirement, why even go through all that trouble? that's alot of money to be throwing away. Third at the beginning of this thread this person did not seem that excited about EMS work. How is he going to like any fire department at all when most statistics with runs in any department is usually a 75%-80% ratio of medical calls.

[ETmedic252]

Lol, Sorry I posted it with my cell phone. I could not spell check it or did i get the chance to read it. I was not talking about FDNY in my disagreement. We could go back and forth all day long, I can see both sides of it.

[kingofdahill]

Emt/Paramedic level to cfr-d level and this city calls this a "promotion"? No different then getting a wake up call so you can make the exam on time. Both these things happened for one reason and one reason only. The Guys who hold grudges have every right to hold them. My personal opinion is that your a scumbag if you use ems as a stepping stone into the FD. Not because your trying to screw out a candidate that took the open competative but because you took a job away from someone who maybe really wants to do ems as either a emt or paramedic. Maybe someone who could have saved many lives in this city. But because of your greed and insecurity may not have that chance. But hey F*ck it you got what you want, right?

[SkylinePCG]

Ive said it before...

If you want to do ems, do it 110%
If you want to be a fireman, same thing.
If you want to dig holes, dont stop until youve seen a chinese sunset.

Whatever job youre after, give it your all and you wont have a problem.

(This assumes youre not an incompetent sack of crap, whos "all" might be nauseatingly insufficient. But thats unlikely, being such a narrow section of the population, its hardly worth typing out this qualifying disclaimer.)

[brnsknFF]

Ive said it before...

If you want to do ems, do it 110%
If you want to be a fireman, same thing.
If you want to dig holes, dont stop until youve seen a chinese sunset.

Whatever job youre after, give it your all and you wont have a problem.

(This assumes youre not an incompetent sack of crap, whos "all" might be nauseatingly insufficient. But thats unlikely, being such a narrow section of the population, its hardly worth typing out this qualifying disclaimer.)

This is too true. Too many mistakes are made by EMT's and Paramedics who are doing this career just to get into the Fire Department.

[nyckftbl]

Certs? REALLY? It only takes a 5 minute look at Scarecrow and LAfire to understand why certs mean jack sh*t....man you guys are really digging lol.....and considering its obvious none of you even understand why the backdoor even exists, it makes it even more hysterical that you are defending it. The back door wasnt created so people had a foot into the dept, as much as you guys want to hope.

[SFDLadder1]

Correct me if I am wrong, but these EMT's who backdoor their way into the job still have to go to the Rock, and graduate before they are put on the line. Therefore they are the same as every other firefighter on the job, no? Because if they weren't qualified, then the instructors at the Rock wouldn't have passed them, right? So how are these firefighters different than anyone else? They didn't do anything wrong. Taking the open competitive exam is one option to getting appointed, taking the promotional from EMT or Cop to FF is another. You may not like the politics of the system, but don't take it out on someone who uses an option that is available to ANYONE. I am not saying that I agree with the system, but it's there, and if someone uses it, who am I or anyone else to blame him/her for using it. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[nyckftbl]

Correct me if I am wrong, but these EMT's who backdoor their way into the job still have to go to the Rock, and graduate before they are put on the line. Therefore they are the same as every other firefighter on the job, no? Because if they weren't qualified, then the instructors at the Rock wouldn't have passed them, right? So how are these firefighters different than anyone else? They didn't do anything wrong. Taking the open competitive exam is one option to getting appointed, taking the promotional from EMT or Cop to FF is another. You may not like the politics of the system, but don't take it out on someone who uses an option that is available to ANYONE. I am not saying that I agree with the system, but it's there, and if someone uses it, who am I or anyone else to blame him/her for using it. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

You've convinced me, with these anecdotes and otherwise first time arguments that have never been used or debunked before on this forum. I must be wrong.

[CalmB4Storm]

When one of you knowingly takes your kid to a doctor who had to go to Granada to get his medical degree, I'll start to listen.

Until then, I'll choose to stick with the best qualified people.

You wouldn't put your childs life in the hands of somebody who snuck into the field, don't ask us to.

[TylerRichardson]

Wow... I had figured that this topic had largely burned itself out and this thread wouldn't grow very quickly.
I didn't intend to continue posting in here since it's clear that everyone has their opinions and there isn't much hope of changing them, whichever side someone lies on. But since I started the topic I think I should try to weigh in again.
I personally have considered my options, done some more investigating and researching, and I've decided that the best path for me to follow would be to enlist in the Navy and get into Damage Control rate or something similar. I'm confident in my abilities and from what I've read on this forum, I know that if I do my best I'll be able to get into the department on an Open Competitive list. I hope that will at least restore some of my credit on this forum for now, while helping to establish myself as the best candidate in the future.

On that note, I think it's clear that the majority of people either dislike the way the system is right now or outright hate it, with only a minority thinking that it's a perfectly acceptable system. Rather than trying to continue the debate from one standpoint or another, I propose that some of you come up with what would be an acceptable solution.
I still think that someone that has put in the time on EMS should get some sort of plus, so I would suggest that someone who has worked as an EMT on any level, be it with the city or with a hospital or whatever else, for a minimum of (1 or 2, I'm still undecided on that) years, should just get a +5 on the written test much the same as a resident or military veteran. I think that takes away the extreme benefit that they currently receive, while still giving someone reason to consider a short term job in the medical field.

WD6956 used an example earlier comparing two candidates that I think was somewhat unfair:

How about this scenario. You are looking to hire a Firefighter for your medium sized suburban town in New England. You have no heavy industry, no ocean, no mountains, no caves and the tallest buildings you cover are 5 stories. Your FD does not do ANY EMS calls. You have a separate Ambulance corps for that. Here are your two candidates.

Both are 30 years old and can easily pass the physical.

Candidate 1 has 10 years with the FDNY in a busy Truck Company and has all the required Certs FDNY required and nothing more. Perfect record.

Candidate 2 has 10 years in a volunteer fire company in a small town that sees little action. A handful of small fires a year. BUT he has a ton of EMS certs, high angle rescue, open water rescue, etc.

Candidate 1 may have less certs, but he has FAR more hands on experience in a far more demanding department.
Candidate 2 has lots of certs, but has had little chance to use them and most of the certs he has would never be used in your department.

Who in your eyes could bring more to your department?

It's just how i look at things. If you see things differently, that is fine.

Now, that's a fantastic point given his scenario, but the thing is, we aren't talking about a hypothetical small new england town, we're talking about the FDNY. Which very much does handle medical calls. So for the FDNY, a more realistic scenario would be:
Both candidates scored the same or very nearly the same on the physical and written tests, and both come with great references from their respective supervisors. However;
Candidate 1 - Has his EMT-B and has worked for 2 years as an EMT for an inner city hospital.
Candidate 2 - Has been working the sales counter at a large retail store eg. Gap or JC Penney for the last 2 years.

Now who do you choose? For me, and call me crazy, but Candidate 1 is the clear choice for the same reason as WD6956 claimed in his example; hands on experience. This supports my solution to the problem of EMT Promo to FF. It takes into account prior work experience while preventing someone from getting a free ride into the department.

Thoughts or opinions? Please tell me what you think of mine or present your own way of fixing the problem. But please give up the us vs. them that is currently going on, there's no reason for that, and that's not what I intended to start when I brought up this thread.

Oh, also - I would appreciate opinions on my choice to join the Navy instead, if you don't even want to bother with the whole EMT promo thing anymore. Thanks guys.

[kingofdahill]

Wow... I had figured that this topic had largely burned itself out and this thread wouldn't grow very quickly.
I didn't intend to continue posting in here since it's clear that everyone has their opinions and there isn't much hope of changing them, whichever side someone lies on. But since I started the topic I think I should try to weigh in again.
I personally have considered my options, done some more investigating and researching, and I've decided that the best path for me to follow would be to enlist in the Navy and get into Damage Control rate or something similar. I'm confident in my abilities and from what I've read on this forum, I know that if I do my best I'll be able to get into the department on an Open Competitive list. I hope that will at least restore some of my credit on this forum for now, while helping to establish myself as the best candidate in the future.

On that note, I think it's clear that the majority of people either dislike the way the system is right now or outright hate it, with only a minority thinking that it's a perfectly acceptable system. Rather than trying to continue the debate from one standpoint or another, I propose that some of you come up with what would be an acceptable solution.
I still think that someone that has put in the time on EMS should get some sort of plus, so I would suggest that someone who has worked as an EMT on any level, be it with the city or with a hospital or whatever else, for a minimum of (1 or 2, I'm still undecided on that) years, should just get a +5 on the written test much the same as a resident or military veteran. I think that takes away the extreme benefit that they currently receive, while still giving someone reason to consider a short term job in the medical field.

WD6956 used an example earlier comparing two candidates that I think was somewhat unfair:


Now, that's a fantastic point given his scenario, but the thing is, we aren't talking about a hypothetical small new england town, we're talking about the FDNY. Which very much does handle medical calls. So for the FDNY, a more realistic scenario would be:
Both candidates scored the same or very nearly the same on the physical and written tests, and both come with great references from their respective supervisors. However;
Candidate 1 - Has his EMT-B and has worked for 2 years as an EMT for an inner city hospital.
Candidate 2 - Has been working the sales counter at a large retail store eg. Gap or JC Penney for the last 2 years.

Now who do you choose? For me, and call me crazy, but Candidate 1 is the clear choice for the same reason as WD6956 claimed in his example; hands on experience. This supports my solution to the problem of EMT Promo to FF. It takes into account prior work experience while preventing someone from getting a free ride into the department.

Thoughts or opinions? Please tell me what you think of mine or present your own way of fixing the problem. But please give up the us vs. them that is currently going on, there's no reason for that, and that's not what I intended to start when I brought up this thread.

Oh, also - I would appreciate opinions on my choice to join the Navy instead, if you don't even want to bother with the whole EMT promo thing anymore. Thanks guys.

Acceptable solution?? No one on here owes anyone a "acceptable solution" most took the open test and waited for their number to be called, While being screwed over by someone who probably dropped out of the academy because they could not hack it off those so called "promotional" tests.

Secondly Being an emt-b or paramedic or a gap employee does not matter one bit. when your on that rig (engine) you act NO higher then your training level which is a CFR-d. The training you get at the rock.

[ffbam24]

I'm not a big fan of joining the military just to serve one's own needs.
Join to serve a greater need. Join to serve something greater than you.

Don't be dead set on the DC rate. I'm noticing more people coming on here claiming they're going into the Navy as a DC as a stepping stone into a fire department. There are a lot more people who aren't even on these forums who are thinking the same thing. Do you think you'll be one of the chosen few to get it? Get used to the saying "The needs of the Navy". Meaning, nothing is guaranteed to you and everything is all based on where the Navy needs you (even to those that have it in writing).

There are a lot of different jobs in the Navy and military in general. Join and do something different. Blow scheisse up. Shoot something. For god's sake, don't join to be a DC because you think it's going to help you get the job on the outside.

Serve the military, not yourself.

[CalmB4Storm]

Do you think you'll be one of the chosen few to get it? Get used to the saying "The needs of the Navy". Meaning, nothing is guaranteed to you and everything is all based on where the Navy needs you (even to those that have it in writing).

I remember when the movie Top Gun came out. The Navy had recruiters in every theater lobby signing guys up to be aviators. 6 months later they were scrubbing barnacles off the hulls of battleships.

[Firemedic515]

Ive said it before...

If you want to do ems, do it 110%
If you want to be a fireman, same thing.

Are you suggesting that a person can't do both well?

[Firemedic515]

This is too true. Too many mistakes are made by EMT's and Paramedics who are doing this career just to get into the Fire Department.

That's a pretty generalized statement. Care to site any of these said "mistakes"?

[Firemedic515]

When one of you knowingly takes your kid to a doctor who had to go to Granada to get his medical degree, I'll start to listen.

Until then, I'll choose to stick with the best qualified people.

You wouldn't put your childs life in the hands of somebody who snuck into the field, don't ask us to.

If you truly want the best qualified for the job, then you'll have to throw out residency, military, and legacy points too. Why does one have an advantage for simply living in the city? They are likewise jumping people on the list that scored better. Yet, nobody seems to be too upset about these free points.