A Newbie Question For The Experienced

[NYI4LIFE]

Do you think i am making the right decision of: holding off fire college till i am ready?

most people i know have gone from EMT class RIGHT INTO fire college!!!
is this the way to go???

here is my current situation:
-I am 20 years old. Married (best girl in the world)
-I've worked at my local hospital for 2 years (recognized in the TOP 100) as a CNA in the ICU (i also float throughout the house)
-I start Emt school in January and ends in the first week of May

-i am 5'11, 246lbs (yes i played football in highschool, BUT I have a stomach, not too bad though)

-I just signed up for my Local Fire-Rescue and will do that till i'm ready (both physically and mentally as an EMT)

I figure a year or two as an Emt/volunteer FF, i'll know the medical side and the inside of my local FD. Then, go to medic school and hopefully have them sponsor me to Fire College?!

[kghemtp]

Glad to see your interest in going higher with everything. Something you might want to think about is what you REALLY want to focus on in your career. Do you want to be known for being the BEST firefighter you can, or a paramedic that is cross-trained as a firefighter? You'll find that SO many departments are now looking for paramedics, and they will sponsor all the fire training. Heck, many cities are running their own recruit schools anyway so you might want to hold off on obtaining extensive fire classes. Now, that being said, you will likely find that FF1 is a reasonable class to go through even while working a full time job (maybe while doing your EMT class too). That will give you a baseline certification. You can consider a degree in fire science, which will give you a great amount of education in theory, fire behavior, MANAGEMENT, and so forth, but you're gonna find more & more paramedic programs are taking 2 years of your life as well. Do you want to have 2 degrees or maybe just a degree in paramedic education with all your firefighter certifications? Part of it might depend what your local colleges offer for programs. If you could do the 2 programs combined for a bachelors in emergency services, that could be a way to go. As for waiting, you're gonna want to wait at least a couple years before doing paramedic til you get some EMS experience at the BLS level. Don't rush it!! While many people could simply pass all the competencies of a paramedic certification, the card doesn't mean jack if you have no common sense in EMS, some experience to help you make better choices in patient care in conjunction with your paramedic education. If you get into a fire school or academy now, you could make yourself a little more marketable. Like CaptBob says, certifications aren't going to sell you, so don't hang your career on having all this stuff. And while having a few years of volunteer experience won't sell you to a career department, it WILL give you some practical knowledge that you can bring. You could work on the resume, do EMT-Basic & FF1, get into the testing process of departments you might want to work for, and see where that takes you. If you express interest in pursuing higher education, they could sponsor various programs. There is no substitute for a college degree though, and many will say that getting it done NOW before you start your career is a very smart thing to do. You'll have a 25 year career, so a few years out of your life getting an education is very reasonable. Keep us all informed with what you decide. Take care

[FiremedicMike]

Agreed with above. I am an EMS instructor now, and even before that when we would have EMT students riding at our station, I would always encourage them to work in the field for around a year or so as a basic preferably working in a system with ALS vehicles that you can ride as 3rd man. This way when you get into medic school, a lot of the things they speak of will be things that you've seen and not understood, the learning value of that is tremendous.

However I did only scan kgh's post, but it mentioned something about being the "best firefighter you can or a paramedic cross trained as a firefighter"

This must be a regional thing, everyone here is both (for the most part) and everyone can get the reputation of being an excellent firefighter and an excellent medic. For those that say its impossible to be good at both, well, sorry but they just don't want to put in the extra work it takes to keep up on both.

No offence intended kgh, and I probably misunderstood you, I know you have a level head on yer shoulders

[CALFFBOU]

Here is my thoughts. Please consider I only scanned through
the above postings.

College- I would go and hit it hard as soon as you can. Why?
Most candidates blow off going to school. Then when they get
serious, they are already deep in life. (kids, mortgage, toys,
etc...) Since you now have a wife, she is there to somewhat
support you in this venture. AND, once you get a degree or
complete their program, you now have a rock-solid foundation
to build off of and NO ONE can take it away from you. And
you have the edge when going for a job. Also consider online
college courses.

Certificates- Yes, these are nice, but dont land you the
job. Capt. Bob says "You can pile on the certificates,
but unless you know how to deliver at the oral board,
you wont get the badge."

Volunteering- A lot of people here will tell you to volunteer,
be a reserve, etc. Yes, get some experience. That is fine but
some people get stuck in it and just stay with it. Or they
get comfortable and "paid thier dues enough and ready to get
the full-time badge". WRONG.

I feel you need a balanced blend of all 3 above. Education,
Experience and Training.

But go to college FIRST. Get it done and over before you have
kids, then its game over because "I dont have the time".

Lastly- There are more answers to the FAQs at-
www.eatstress.com
www.firecareers.com

-Bou

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

1. Go to college now. You owe it to your family.

2. The choice between volunteering and college (if it comes down to that) is college. You owe it to your family.

[firefiftyfive]

College is absolutely the most important thing someone can do for themsevles this day in age no matter what profession they go into. I my self am almost done with my college education and am very glad about it but I know it will be useful. Not to bash you or anyone else but I do not understand why all of these people from around the nation attend these "fire colleges". IMHO that is just limiting yourself to one thing. When you get into the academy they will teach you everything you need to know about fighting fires and how the physics of it all works. I believe that people that want to be a firefighter should get an education in something else. Firstly because it is always good to be a well rounded person and be educated in many areas. Secondly in many areas the "job" is 20 years and out. If I get the paid job I want within the next year I could retire by the time I"m 42 if I wanted and go do something else; maybe teach or something. Finally we all know how dangerous this job is and you never know what might happen, therefore it is good to have something else to fall back on. Something to support your family with! Just my opinion, best of luck to you!!!

[NYI4LIFE]

THANK YOU ALL! ! !

I recently took a visit to my local station and a guy at my apartment complex (who's the Lt. on shift) showed me around.

My decision is to finish my EMT...sit still for a year or so riding, gaining experience. I'll work 3 days (b/c shifts here for our ambulance company is 12hr) and volunteer on my time off. I will then go to Medic school and challenge local FD's to sponsor me. You can become combat certified to fight fires for the county, provided BY THE COUNTY(for volunteers) as FF1 and see if they'll send me to fire college.

Thanks everyone

[mittlesmertz]

All replies about education are right on the money.
Just, a thought- the number one cause of ff deaths is a heart attack.
Without looking at a BMI sheet, your height and weight might put you in the "dangerous" category, as far as being hired by a full-time FD.
You might want to start a serious excercise program NOW. Don't wait, it only gets harder as you get older...
Good Luck!

[NYI4LIFE]

Believe me,I have and and by-no-means am i "over weight"! I am no small guy. I got out of high school just 2.5 years ago and played Fullback and Outside Linebacker. I have big, broad shoulders, 15" biceps, squat 600lbs. I just have a belly

My weight is slowly going down, as well as up(muscle mass that is)....

great plan, none like those "low-Carb diets"....

just a start up 12 week plan, then follow the same rules but make your goals higher in www.bodyforlife.com

P.S.: a great book is "The Firefighter's work out: By Michael Stefano"
www.firefightersworkout.com

[CALFFBOU]

Originally posted by NYI4LIFE
THANK YOU ALL! ! !

My decision is to finish my EMT...sit still for a year or so riding, gaining experience. I'll work 3 days (b/c shifts here for our ambulance company is 12hr) and volunteer on my time off. I will then go to Medic school and challenge local FD's to sponsor me. You can become combat certified to fight fires for the county, provided BY THE COUNTY(for volunteers) as FF1 and see if they'll send me to fire college.

Thanks everyone

Did I miss something or did you? "Sit still for a year?"
I just stated to go to college and not get tied down in
the volunteer thing. A bunch of us just said to go to
school. I would do it before you and the wife start
having kids.

Oh well, dont listen to us. And I would never gamble
my career on maybe a volunteer FD sending me somewhere.
Did you get it in writing that they are going to send
you anywhere?

Get in school and graduate before your competetion does.

[NYI4LIFE]

Originally posted by CALFFBOU


Did I miss something or did you? I just stated to go to college
and not get tied down in the volunteer thing. A bunch of us just
said to go to school. I would do it before you and the wife
start having kids.

Oh well, dont listen to us.

CALFFBOU.......

The problem is my ears are WIDE OPEN! I'm listening and taking EVERYONES opinion into consideration. I'm not some "dumb 20 year old" I have a plan and am acting on it. That is more i can say from what other 20 year olds are doing (drinking, parting, etc...)

If i get my EMT-Paramedic in 1 shot, that doesn't leave me much experience on the street.

How do you figure?! After you get your EMT, what classes do I intend to take before Paramedic??? OR what classes do you take inbetween?!

you don't! You get your EMT, then you go to Paramedic. BUT all I hear is "EMT's need to have some time under their belt before they go to Medic school!"

That's what i'm following. 1)Graduate as an EMT 2)work as an EMT and volunteer for a 1.5 3)go to Medic school 4)go to Fire College

Isn't this the correct order?!

[CALFFBOU]

Wow, looks like you got all the answers then.

Your two post painted different pictures to me. What I would
do, what most people do out here is go to college and EMT at
the same time while volunteering on the side. Then do the
ambulance gig.

Please remember what you really want...a career FF job.

Me- I would just get college done and over with asap and still
volunteer/reserve on the side.

Dont let locked into the volunteering thing like most do and
then skip school.

Maybe this will help-

http://www.smokeyourffinterview.com/...ts/fse301.html

[NYI4LIFE]

CALFFBOU...

your DA MAN! THATS the picture i have been trying to paint for everyone.

it's laid out like this:
1)Volunteering WHILE being EMT:to LEARN my FD's IC system and people.

2)Working as an EMT for a year or so: Gain experience not just what i learned in EMT school, but apply it to the street AS WELL as gaining knowledge from a Paramedic

Career goal: Fire-Medic! my eye's lighted up when i saw that my county is hiring medics AND SENDING THEM TO FF COLLEGE PAID FOR W/ NEW BUNKER GEAR!

i figured best of both worlds!

thanks!

[CALFFBOU]

Bro- I still dont think youre getting it. I would make
college my #1 priority.

Let my say it again one more time...COLLEGE BEFORE
ANYHTING ELSE.

Volunteering will always be there.

School first, get what I am laying down?

[NYI4LIFE]

YUP! I DO!

I have sat up (well im working so i don't have a choice) to think about this and this is my conclusion:

OPTION 1
1)i will get my emt in may of 2005.
2)i will get my FF1 through the county (volunteering), challenge the state test,and take FF2 at the college. (our Fire college has made FF2 a seperate course as well now)

OPTION 2
1)I will get my EMT in may of 2005
2)apply for Fire COllege for the term of Jan-Mar (2006)while saving money till then

*EITHER WAY, OUR COUNTY FIRE-RESCUE WILL PAY FOR US TO GO PARAMEDIC SCHOOL!!! THEY REQUIRE YOU BE A MEDIC W/IN 3 YEARS OF HIRING ANYHOW*

THANKS CALFFBOU

[NYI4LIFE]

BTW, what other "college" is there after EMT? b/c i do intend to become a Paramedic some way, some how!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

"Sit still for a year" = Slacker

[martinj]

Just throwing my opinion in there for you to think about. I have to agree strongly with the others here that have posted about going to college. Regardless of whether or not they will pay for school, you need to go and become as educated as you can. "There is no such thing as a free lunch", meaning they might pay your way, but until you have confirmation of it, I would pursue it on my own. Hoping they send you three years down the line is a big "if" to take.

I started volunteering when I was 18. Went off to college to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering (almost there, six more months). I took my EMT freshman year at night. I also picked up my FF I/II in a similar manner. I worked part-time as an EMT to gain experience and tackle the mounting college bills. I'm hoping to earn my medic license upon completeion of college. My long term goal is to work full-time as a firefighter/medic, working part-time in the engineering world. I would get the best of both worlds, utilizing a majoirty of the knowledge I have gained through classes and schooling.

NYI4LIFE, I have to strongly agree with many of the others out there. College should be #1 priority if you can swing it financially. I was lucky enough to be accepted into a live-in fire station for full-time college students, affording me the opportunity to gain fire/ems experience with no housing costs. You need to do what will work for you, but putting off college and hoping someone will pay for you to go someday is a very risky venture. I wish you luck with whatever your final decision may be.

Stay safe.

[NYI4LIFE]

Look fellas.....

I KNOW IT SOUNDS like i'm putting off college, and in a sense I am. BUT, BUT, BUT....all I have read in these very forums (along in EMS forum) is "EMT's should spend some time on the street BEFORE they go to paramedic school!"

you can even look at my first few posts that I typed about an EMT-PARAMEDIC course that takes 2 years to go straight through. The reaction.....

"spend some time as an EMT before, you don't want to be a "book" paramedic"

I want to be a great Paramedic ALONG w/ a great FF! so i figure if i volunteer WHILE GOING TO COLLEGE, then i will know not only how my FD handles but i'll be riding as an EMT so i can tackle Paramedic school head on.

thanks and be safe

[NYI4LIFE]

Originally posted by CALFFBOU
Bro- I still dont think youre getting it. I would make
college my #1 priority.

Let my say it again one more time...COLLEGE BEFORE
ANYHTING ELSE.

Volunteering will always be there.

School first, get what I am laying down?

Here are a few replys I recieved a couple months ago...

"In Florida there is no intervening levels just EMT-Basic and Paramedic. I personally feel one should have some experience as an EMT-Basic before going on to Paramedic training. We have alot of "kids" who go straight from EMT school to Paramedic school. Most turn into book medics and have little to no street skills and take longer to train once they start at an agency. The new Medics who were EMTs for a few years tend to train up faster in the short term. This is not to say the former are bad medics just lacking street smarts and have to learn the hard way."MEDIC247

"For the sake of all your Patients and Partners, please spend some time in the field as a basic before continuing on to Paramedic.
Our program requires a MINIMUM of 1000 pre-hospital pt contacts before being allowed to apply to the Paramedic program. Most applicants have at least 4 years as an EMT-B on a TRANSPORTING rig before applying.
Learn to be a great EMT, then become a great medic!"mittlesmertz

"Well I am just a brand new medic myself sitting for the national registry test this weekend in fact but I would never give up the five years I spent as a basic for there is an old saying medic may save lives but basic save medic you must master the basic skills before you go on to try and get the medic lic. good luck and study hard"Brian787

THIS is what i have been trying to say...be an EMT for a while while volunteering, get my medic, and then go to fire college!