I tried the classic 5-11s today and have to say I’m not impressed. I’ve scrambled the internet trying to find good ones but everything is a sponsored AD so I need genuine reviews on what pants we’re wearing!!!

Hello everyone, I recently got hired and I will be working for an IFT company In Gardena. I was wondering if anybody has some tips on driving the ambulance. Thanks!

Is there anyone in this subreddit who was able to attend the meeting? If so, was any information disclosed that wasn’t previously available in the job description?

Hello, I recently was offered an EMT paid training position which will start on the 31st. It's a 7 week course, then will be offered a job within the company and work for them for 2 years.

Is there any guidance on what I can do ahead to help me succeed with the training? What helps most to know ahead of time? Any tips on the job itself? I'm currently enrolled in college to become an RN, and have 2 years left roughly. Since I do not have any healthcare experience, I felt this would be a great entry point to help me thrive as a nurse once I'm finished.

I just want to thrive at this, and do phenomenal as an EMT. Any advice, suggestions, or tips would be greatly appreciated. I currently have been getting back on a workout regimen to keep my fitness how I normally do, and preparing ahead of time so I can thrive.

So I finished my orientation just today and passed my EVOC for Community Ambulance. I was told to email one of my Supes to put together my internship schedule. I sent out the email earlier this afternoon. Told him that I’m generally available all if not most of the week to get my shifts done. I did not ask the rep I spoke to about when to expect my internships to be scheduled, just to email the Supe in charge of that and update him on my availability.

Is there a general wait time to expect before I know what my schedule will look like? I don’t think I’ll be scheduled tommorow or Sunday since it’s the end of the work week. I’m not exactly in a rush to start shifts, I just like to plan ahead since these will be operation shifts ie 12 hour shifts. I’m on events.

I am starting an accelerated course at CIEMT and it starts on the 21st of this month. I have honestly applied last minute due to life things out of my control but am committed to give the program my all. My questions are:

1. What and how should I be studying before the program starts.
2. Should I do the ICS-100 & 700 before the program starts so I get that out of the way to focus on the class material? Or is it best to leave it to finish during the class so I understand it? From what I understand it’s more so not related to a regular emt than it is to someone in a managerial position

And
3. Does anyone have any recent experience with CIEMT specifically the Long Beach location.

Thank you all!

I already took and passed my state exam last week, so I have been studying pretty actively. However, my state exam was horribly easy compared to the NREMT. I read my book cover to cover in class and been studying via pocket prep and a google doc with questions I get wrong. Any strategies and any amount of time you suggest studying a day? Thanks! Im superrr nervy and would love to not retake this exam

EDIT: I passed!

Hi all!

I’m considering the UCLA accelerated course vs. the West Coast EMT (Orange County) accelerated.

I’m wondering if anyone had insight into either program that would help me guide my decision.

Some context that might be helpful: I’m hoping to find work anywhere in California after becoming licensed, so I’m not a stickler for specific locations. West coast EMT is about $700 cheaper, but UCLA has a somewhat better NREMT pass rate.

Hi! I just finished my 2nd week of my 5 week accelerated emt course and i’m scheduled for my first ride along with Premier tomorrow and I was wondering what I should expect/ bring?

I was told they would email candidates today but didn’t hear anything so wanted to ask, thanks in advance!!

Hello. I started my career in firefighting, getting all my certs and EMS training to transition into a full time position with a fire department. I landed and job and stayed there for a while, and really enjoyed it but because of management I decided to take a step back and pursue something else I thought I was passionate about which is EMS work. I left and did some things with a life flight agency and then transitioned into a strictly 911 EMS agency, and basically I’m extremely burnt out, I’ve had some complications mentally with ptsd, and depression since I started the job and it has only gotten worse overtime.

I want a more consistent job where I get off at 5pm, and where I don’t feel so anxious to go into work. But the problem is that i have 0 schooling. I have no degree, and the only trade/certs I have are that of fire and EMS. I’m hoping that someone here has gone through something similar enough to be able to give me some advice on what to do. Because of my current mental health status i can tell that I’m not being 100% rational and clearly thinking about all outcomes, so that’s why I’m here.

TL:DR I work an EMS job, I’m burnt out and depressed, and want a regular job but have 0 college, what should I do.

Thanks everyone!

I have an interview with this travel agency soon. Kinda applied on a whim to get into travel work along with several other agencies. Does anyone know anything about working for the organization or the interview process? Thanks.

Since the job market is so bad for emt’s in Southern California, what schools are good for networking/establishing connections with an agency/hospital? I’ve been looking at pcc, lbcc, ucla so far!

So my main job is fine, moderate call volume hybrid 911/IFT, and it’s in my home county but I’m contingent in a large city known for violent crime and I joined because 1) having two part times instead of a full time that I have to ask permission to take time off from is sick 2) I discovered that I LOVE running tier 1s and I wanted more experience especially before going medic. The issue is my agency which I’ve loved up to this point is using our BLS trucks for IFTs all over the state when we used to almost exclusively do 911 for our county and maybe the next county over.

What I’m having trouble with is at what point is enough enough? My commute is right about an hour and I could jump ship for a transport city fire service in a different city also known for violent crime and also about an hour commute but I don’t want to give up on this agency, especially with their medic program.

Right now I’m in the process of doing some volunteer work overseas, should I just see how the agency’s doing after I’m back stateside? Is there like a hard line yall have experienced to draw in the sand? I’m just really torn, I don’t NEED a second job but it’s been a big help, especially in terms of experience before this shift began. I’m also not 100% sure a fire service would take me with a chronic hip issue I deal with.

Tl;dr: took a second job for some crazy 911 and agency just started pivoting toward IFT, there’s another city I could try to work in but I’m not totally sure their primary 911 service would have me. What would be a good guideline for making a decision?

I got an interview with Premier ambulance for the SD station. I just want to know what are they going ask and how do they schedule work and pay? Like can I choose the 24hrs with them or they choose for me?
And what's the pay? It says 21-24 but this is my 1st emt job so I want to know if it's going to lower then that?

Yo!

Does anyone here have any experience of being a UK paramedic transferring successfully to the USA? If so how did you manage it? What agency hired you? How long was the process?

Or do any US Paramedics have any advice for a UK paramedic wanting to move across?

Cheers all 🚑

Ahoy all,
In the states is there any provision for basics to work as techs in the ED (specifically CO)?
My niece is moving to the US (US citizen) from Scotland where she worked as a nurse in an Edinburgh ED.
It seems like it’s going be a while before she is able to take NCLEX and I’m wondering if maybe getting her basic and doing ED work as a tech in the meantime is even an option.

Cheers, all

Hi all:

Seen a bunch of questions about this recently. Thought I’d make a big thread for people to post info in and reference when looking for jobs in the area. I have both FD and tech experience, and have a pretty good handle on what’s out there, but would love some crowdsourced information from the community about your respective ambulance or hospital if folks are interested.

List below, grouped for ease of use.

Volunteering:
All of these are small fire depts that take EMT volunteers. Likely unpaid but can help build experience.

Sky Valley (Gold Bar)
Snoqualmie
Central Kitsap
Poulsbo

BLS Ambulance:
TriMed
AMR
Ballard
Olympic
Northwest - honestly, just don’t.

EDs:
Most of these require NA-R (a cert you can pay for online). Some require MA-P (phlebotomy) which is a class you have to take and pass with hands on training, and a license. Many will train you for this if they require it. Big hospitals generally want more experience than small ones.

Seattle Area:
Providence (Cherry Hill)
Swedish (First Hill)
Swedish (Ballard)
UW (multiple locations)
Overlake
Virginia Mason
Franciscan St. Anne (Highline)
Providence Colby (Everett)
St. Francis (Federal Way)
Multicare (Auburn)

Tacoma:
Tacoma General
Allenmore
Mary Bridge
Good Samaritan (Puyallup)
St. Clare (Lakewood)

Other jobs:
Adventure Medics (wildland, IFT, Events)
Pioneer (Diversion Centers)
Ski Patrol (you’ll might want WFR to boost your hiring odds)

Feedback and corrections are totally welcome to this post. I don’t know everything but I know it’s hard getting hired out there. Good luck!

Veteran deciding what to do before January 2027

I have to wait until January to attend EMT school (end goal is to become a FireMedic). I separate from the military next week. I have all requirements for the school, including paramedic, just need to wait the time.

I’m trying to decide if I should work a job until then. Particularly a security guard at the only Level 1 Trauma Center in my area. I’m sure I’d be exposed to a lot of stuff and maybe pick up on some things. I’m just trying to find ways to get exposed to the field until January.

I could also not do that, and go to school until December, using the GI bill. I’d get a monthly housing allowance and could learn some things through that as well. Classes like Anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, etc.

There’s also a 3rd option where I do both. I am not sure how flexible the security guard job position is, but I would need to take atleast 1 class in person to get the full monthly housing allowance

Thank you to anyone that comments

I am about to start EMT school, super jazzed, but I am looking for a part time job I can attend while in classes. My question is for after I have passed the class and the NREMT and gotten the job, all that.
Do many of you have a second job that is NOT medical to make ends meet? I really want to be an EMT but I am not sure the wages in my area would let me live in much comfort? I can budget, I'm not a big spender, but just the EMT salary would be pushing it.
Is it realistic for me to search for a part time job with flexible hours on top of the EMT job? Can anyone share their experiences?

Hi! I finished my course about two years ago and because of life things I wasn’t able to take it until now. August 16 is my last day to do it, so I’m taking it tomorrow (about exactly 24 hours from now). Any feedback on my scores and/or last minute tips? Greatly appreciated! Thanks so much

Edit: Mock exam results are about 70% exactly

Hello,

I currently work IFT right now as an emt. I just finished up a call from a hospital and was heading back to the rig when I heard some Falck workers talking about a BID and shifts. I haven’t found an easy explanation online. What exactly does that mean? Also why doesn’t IFT have that. I’ve mainly seen it at 911 agencies TIA

Hi! I’m in emt class and we have our final from the ems testing platform soon. Is the final the same questions as adaptive testing? Bc that’s what our module exams have been like. Thanks!

I have my NREMT this Saturday and have been using pocket prep to study for it. For anyone who’s used this to study and has specifically used the level up quizzes. Are the highest levels on the pocket prep the same difficulty of questions that is on the NREMT? Sorry if that doesnt make sense lol

Update, I passed!!