Does your department pay for EMS training?

[DrParasite]

so I was on the phone with a friend of mine in Maryland, who was enrolled in a paramedic program, and we got to talking about how expensive it had been for her to take the course. this shocked me, especially in the state of maryland, as I thought Chief Woods had said that all fire training was provided free by the state. Of course, since EMS is such a core component of the Fire service in many areas (except for in NJ, which is a whole different story), I just figured that EMS would be provided as well.

so my question is, does your department pay for EMS courses (provided your department provides that level of servce), and are there any levels (basic, Intermediate, Paramedic, etc) that they won't pay for?

[cozmosis]

EMT-Basic is required for full-time employement in my department. So, it is provided by the department through the state fire academy to all new hires. Because it is required and because the members have been hired prior to the academy, they are paid during all required training -- fire and EMS.

Previously, the department has also worked with us on voluntary training classes by allowing us to adjust work hours to attend while on the clock. However, the chief has changed his approach and has indicated that training we volunteer for (i.e. through NFA or state academy) must be during our time off. :( I hope the trend does not continue.

Of course, I shouldn't complain. Back in the day, the department often made recruits come in and work shifts at night and on the weekend to make up extra hours :eek: since the academy was only 40 hours a week. :rolleyes:

[ptfd19]

we are required to complete EMT-B or 36 hour FF within first year of membership. both are paid by the department, but you also sign an agreement that says you will stay with the department and use the training for 1 year after completion. any courses above those will also be paid for by the department but you will have to sign another membership agreement.

[CaptainGonzo]

My Department will reimburse the the firefighter for expenses for taking the EMT-B course once the firefighter gets his/her certification. We also get 7% of our base salary for being an EMT.

[Ltmdepas3280]

We pay for the whole shooting match. When you are hired we send you to the fire academy for 14 weeks, then when you come back we send you to paramedic school for the next year and a half. We pay for the school for two reasons , the main reason is that everyone is trained to the same level no if's and's or butt's..the other reason is so we can watch all the new guy's bitch about having to go too school for two years...and we get to say too bad everyone else did it before you soo suck it up probie.

[flashover113]

My career dept. requires EMT-B at the time of hire so they avoid the cost and short manning on class days. They did pay for part of my paramedic school and did allow me to trade shift days so that I could attend class. That was a lot of 48 hour shifts for a year and a half but atleast they allowed it.
My volunteer dept will pay for the level that we are operating at. As of now we roll first responder engine co.'s, so they will pay for first responder. If you want to take your training to the next level they will pay the amount of the the first responder and you pick up the difference. As for fire training, just about anything resonable is paid for by the department.

[FB1138]

We need certification when hired. If you choose to, the department pays for the classes after successful completion of class and certification. The amount of tuition reimbursement is $1,250.00 per year.

[Dave1983]

You have to at least have EMT to get a paid job, so that you pay yourself. Most departments who run ALS will put interested EMTs through paramedic school and pay for it. After your on the job all continuing education and recertifications are paid for.

[DrParasite]

it would appear that most of the people who posted are members of career departments, what about the volunteers? and will they pay for medic school as well as EMT-basic?

[Dave1983]

it would appear that most of the people who posted are members of career departments, what about the volunteers? and will they pay for medic school as well as EMT-basic?


We have a seperate, 25 member volunteer staff that is used in a support roll. They have their own funds (seperate from the paid department) and do not pay for EMT or paramedic training for members.

[cozmosis]

it would appear that most of the people who posted are members of career departments, what about the volunteers? and will they pay for medic school as well as EMT-basic?

All training required of our volunteer division is also provided by the department. Currently, the general EMS requirement for them is first responder. It was taught in-house to the vollies sometime last year, I believe.

In the combo. department where I got my start, all required training was again provided by the department. If they wanted you to have it, you didn't have to pay for it.

[fireguy919]

We run first reponders but the department will pay for the emt-b.

[skyraider]

EMT-B's a given....dept will pay that up front for all new members (must turn 18 by the test date). We need to be a B for 3 years (operational) in order for the dept to pay for I or P. Otherwise, we need to do it on our own and won't get reimbursed. A 2-year commitment comes with each certification.

[REMSCHIEF]

As a primarily all volunteer EMS only department, we have a policy in place that requires all new hires to have EMT-B at time of appointment. (it can be modified if you pass the class but need to retake NREMT-but it must be done within 1 year). After completing a departmental in-service we do reimburse upon request (and if the budget allows). We also require a minimum commitment after reimbursement. As for Medic...if you have the desire and we have the money...along with a signed contract for 3 years as a medic (prorated each year if you leave the department early)... or there are several advanced EMS training "scolarships" available in our area, but are usually reimbursement type as well. So far so good...

Andy
Chief Rittman EMS

[DepChief135]

Yes, my volunteer department pays for the training. We don't have an ambulance, but do provide back up EMS for the volunteer ambulance that covers our district.

[allineedisu]

Yes we pay for all the basic trainong cost. If you fail the EMT course while in recruit school, you have one last try to pass the test. if you fail this, then you are history as you are terminated.

[thejdubb02]

In my department we are allowed to go to classes and we get special pay for the hours (we have a set amount that we get payed for per year) we are in class and on top of that we are reimbursed for the cost of the class. So... its pretty nice.

Pretty good deal if you ask me.

[ChiefReason]

so I was on the phone with a friend of mine in Maryland, who was enrolled in a paramedic program, and we got to talking about how expensive it had been for her to take the course. this shocked me, especially in the state of maryland, as I thought Chief Woods had said that all fire training was provided free by the state. Of course, since EMS is such a core component of the Fire service in many areas (except for in NJ, which is a whole different story), I just figured that EMS would be provided as well.

so my question is, does your department pay for EMS courses (provided your department provides that level of servce), and are there any levels (basic, Intermediate, Paramedic, etc) that they won't pay for?
Yes; we pay for the EMS training up to Intermediate level...IF they complete the training and pass the exam.
We do not run Paramedic level, so we would not pay for that.
CR

[Weruj1]

We are POC ...........we mandate EMT-B pay class itself and, hour for hour for class and, then upon sucessful passing of said course. We also pay for medic school, but not hour for hour, only the class. There is also the stipulation that you sign a 2 year agreeement and if you leave before that time you have to pay back the money. Also noted, we only pay for said class as funds allow, usually through a grant. If not a grant, no money as the general fund is mighty tight. And if there are more applicants than funds we have an application process.

[hwoods]

Dan, In Maryland, The Maryland Fire Rescue Institute, or as it is known, MFRI, is THE Training Organization. They provide all FIRE and RESCUE courses including HAZMAT stuff. Medical Training includes First Responder and EMT-B. ALL of this is absolutely Free. Paramedic Training is a whole different Ballgame. The Major fire/Rescue organizations in Maryland are pushing for "P School" to be included in MFRI's realm, Taking it away from those, such as Community Colleges, who profit from it. We ALL feel that ANY AND ALL Training whatsover, that will be used by a member of any Fire, Rescue, or EMS Department, Paid or Volunteer, should be absolutely Free, and provided thru MFRI. We also feel that all Training provided by MFRI should be restricted to Members of Fire/Rescue/EMS organizations, and those Private Industry positions where they operate Jobsite Safety Response Teams or Industrial Fire Brigades. Mrs. Smith, Private citizen, should not be accepted in a Class on, say Fire 1 or EMT-B, like some states do. Currently, in Maryland, you must provide proof of Membership in a Emergency Service Organization to be admitted to a class.

Dan, There are scholarship and reimbursement options for P School in Md. PM me with more info, I'll try to help.