Anyone work/worked for Armstrong?

[GourmetJello]

I am a new EMT-B in MA, trying to decide between working for Armstrong and a smaller private company. I'd love to work for a fire department and do less patient transfer but there doesn't to be a whole lot of opportunity for this in MA. Does anyone know about how Armstrong treats their employees? The smaller company seems to have it's advantages but is strictly transfer and I'd like the experience of at least some emergency work. Any advice would be appreciated!

[GourmetJello]

Ok, so I'm guessing no one has much experience w/ Armstrong.. Does anyone have any comments, positive or negative about any other private companies, particularly in the MA area?

[SgtJack]

Well I have not worked for Armstrong..but I do know several people that did. As far as money goes they seem to pay well..they have several locations to work out of..and they're equipment seems well kept...As far as treating their people well..not sure overall most providers in the Boston area treat their people okay not good..not horrible (with a few exceptions) not great. Just okay....Yes they do alot of transfers at the BLS level but they do have 911 contracts with Medford and Winthrop I also belive they back up several other communites that run fire based ambulances..Even working BLS you will get some emergency work..ALS isn't always around and you can still gain some expericence doing nursing home emergncies...True BLS does do less emergency work than when I started in 1995 but it's still there just not as much or as often...besides the the 3 am call for the "Elderly Person that has fallen" gets old real quick..What other company were you looking at? I did do some time at ASA/Chaulk which became AMR...Cataldo...Cataldo you can get some good 911 experience but when I worked their in the mid 90's they didn't treat the help very well...AMR was just too big...As far as fire based ambulance in Mass..most now look for people that have ALS experience...I've also per diemd at a few other places but now I've been a cop for three years so aside from teaching Leo's first responder and CPR I don't work in the field..8 years was enough

[GourmetJello]

Thanks for the post SgtJack. Currently I'm going to be working with Marlborough-Hudson Ambulance, which, as the name implies, works in the Marlborough-Hudson area. Luckily the people there are extremely flexible and they have no problem with me leaving in the (possibly somewhat near) future to find emergency work. As far as other companies.. I'm mostly looking for good experience, pay mattering much less. Also, flexibility would help as I'm a student and would either be looking for part time jobs or temporary full time lasting about 6 months. On another note.. my friend decided to take a relatively nasty spill on his bike in Boston, splitting his helmet open and giving him a concussion (helmets DO save lives). He got a ride with Boston EMS and told the medic that a couple of his friends were EMT's. Apparently she says they're hiring, and my friend seems to think this includes Basics, though I'm still a little skeptical (he was concussed after all). Either way, I'll be looking into that also. Where are you a cop btw?

[SgtJack]

As far as Marlborough-Hudson Ambulance goes..the only thing I think is that they are a some what new company..other than that I don't know anything about em...Most places do have some flexible scheduals so going to school and working should be too hard..you'll find alot of your co workers doing the same thing...If you want I'd look at both Trinity and Patriot for good BLS experience..as one services Lowell and the other Lawrence both are very busy...I think Trintiy may be a little better...in terms of benefits...Boston EMS does hire on a steady basis...and everyone starts as a basic even if you have your EMT-P...But and here's the But..they are very picky as to who they hire and you have to move into Boston as condition of employement. They require an entrance exam that is similar to the state exam..but more challanging...I've worked college police at NSCC in Lynn and Topsfield Pd...

[Brian1023]

Sorry, I got here a little late.....

I've worked at Armstrong for 6 months. As far as how they treat us, I think they treat us very well. Free uniforms, pretty good pay, very flexible scheduling. I currently do one 24 hour shift and two 9 hour shifts. As far as emergency work, you will get your fair share. It's not a complete geriatric taxi. They have the 911 contract for Medford and also provide ALS to several other cities. They also have contracts with a bunch of hospitals/nursing homes in the eastern MA area, so you do get a good amount of emergency runs.

They also provide ambulance coverage to Fenway Park. Nothing beats getting paid to go to a Sox game.

So if your still looking at working here, I say go for it.

[GourmetJello]

I'll be working with marlborough-hudson for a bit of intro experience, but

I think you may have sold me with the Sox game

thanks for the info Brian

[Brian1023]

No problem. Hope to see you here in the future.

[blondie2000]

Hey gourmetjello,
How do you like working for MH? Im a little skeptical about that company because someone I know said they didnt like working there because the guys really harrassed the females when they were alone in the ambulance driving. Have you noticed anything like that?