Advice needed

[Sparky68]

Heeeeeeeey folks !

I recently have began working as an EMT-B in the East Bay of California. I have been taking my Fire Technology classes at Chabot.

I recently decided that I want to go for my Paramedic...this is something I wanted to do for a while now, but planned on it at a later date. I am sure that if I got my Paramedic , it would greatly increase my chances for emplyment in the fire service. So I am thinking of putting my Fire classes on hold...I feel the Paramedic education would help me with my new EMT career anyways.

I have only been a " paid EMT " for a few months , I got my national Registry back in July 06.....so I am a " Super rookie " ......I have seen enough to know that I love helping people , and seeing the things I see is more interstingto me then my passed career of a Voice and Data network tech. ..................... I WANT TO BE A PARAMEDIC......but this is my issue , $$$$$$$$$$$$$

From what I have seen , it is about $8500 , plus I think something like $3000 for county 500hrs internship??? ...Wow , out of MY price range...and not many offer student loan programs.

I dont have any financial help , I have some credit , but not an Extra 10k's worth.... What Can I do ? ......any recommendations of programs that would help a 38yr EMT get his Paramedic ? .

Ok , I am done whining and venting ......send me your bill ! :>)

ThanX

[FTMPTB15]

Could you maybe take out a personal and/or student loan for a bank? I know one of my roomates would do that each year and would take enough money to cover his tution and rent and extra personal spending money (that way he didn't have to work). I believe he used some sort of 'personal' loan. That might be something to check into. Have you also searched the internet for ANY type of scholarship... there seem to be scholarships for everything these days! Good luck!

[emtcsmith]

I'm paying for my last year of medic school partially with a stafford student loan and part a Wachovia "TERI" medical education loan. I'm only 21 and have good enough credit to pull the loan off so I'm sure if your older you should be able to get something like I did. It'll be hell to pay off but hey medical school is probaby close to a mil in loans when your done.

[Wyomingmedic]

Do what I did. Get a TUITION ANSWER loan from sallie mae.

http://www.salliemae.com/content/tuitionanswer/index.html

That is where I went. It takes about 10 minutes to be approved or and once you are it takes about 1.5 months to get your money. And you get 40K or more a school year. Low interest and easy payback. Give it a shot

[mitllesmertz1]

Get hired by a career department that will pay you well, give you great benefits, AND pay you to get your paramedic ticket.
Or, pay for it yourself and work for a private ambulance :rolleyes:

[montet202]

Look into college or university related programs rather than private training businesses. If they are a part of a four year school (whether you go for four years, or if you get a one year cert) you can qualify for student loans and have to have little or no money down.

These programs tend to offer a much better education as well.

[rickb129]

The service I used to run w/would put you through medic school if you signed some sort of contract with them. There were 5 guys from my medic class that were put through medic school by thier providers with some strings attached as well. I payed my way with the GI Bill so I can't give you details, but it may be something to look into if you run with a private. If you aren't running on a private, it may be something to look into as well. Just food for thought. Good luck!

[angelicknight]

The best advice that I can give is to work as a EMT-B for at least a year to hone your Basic Skills before going on to get your medic. If you're not a good basic, you'll be a poor medic.

As far as finances, taking the year to gain experience can give you the opportunity to build your bank account and investigate student loan oppportunities listed above.

That's my 2 cents.

[hffd23m2]

If you really want to get to be a medic, join a volly dept near you and put in writtingyou would serve them for 2 years after you get out of school. They pay for school, get a medic, you get your education, everybody happy.

[Phelpsy]

If i were in your shoes i would try to locate a service that had atleast partial loan forgiveness. you may have to sign a contract with this company for a certain number of years. GOOD LUCK with you paramedic!!!

[medic27205]

1)Move to North Carolina ( in a community near a community college that offers paramedic training)...

2)Join a Fire, EMS, Rescue or Police Department (either paid or volunteer)...

3)Go to the said nearby community college. Tuition is fee exempt as long as you are in one of the above mentioned public service agencies. You will have to pay a one time malpractice insurance fee of $110.00 + books (approx 200.00)

4) Additional benefit: Work and go to school. We hire EMT-B at our service. You can work and go to school. Because the EMS service is not paying for your tuition or anything else, once you graduate you are at no obligation to stay here and work even though if you are good and you are interested we would love to have you. Everyone needs GOOD MEDICS!!!!

[Hamlet618]

Here's how I 'paid' for my paramedic schooling: As a EMT-B working for the county ambulance service, I applied to the medic program at the local community college, a 2 year program. Since I worked for an EMS group in their tuition area, I qualified for a waiver if I continued to work in the county. So, all I had to pay was lab fees and books.

Check if there is a program like that in your area. Also, keep working as a basic before going on to medic. The skills you learn in the field and the experience are invaluable in becoming a medic.

Best of luck!

[marie24]

Question: nyc emt physical agility test

[wildcountryboy]

to be honest, you need to get you get a lot of rescue, and rescue emt work under your belt before becoming a medic, i've been a emt-b for 6 yrs, have many hrs of rescue school and actual feild rescue,(both sar and fire service) and have a better understanding of things then most new medics, in the long run you will be a better medic

[emtb47]

It doesn't matter if you have all the rescue skills and training that there is to offer. What will make you a good medic is to actually get out there an run calls. In order to be great medic you have to be a great tech. The best way to do that is to work for a squad that only runs a BLS unit for 911 calls. Also keep in mind that a lot of medic programs now require that you have at least 2 yrs of street EMS experience in order to even apply for the program.

[perrypower05]

Around the DC area, you can easily work out becoming a volunteer, and becoming a paramedic... You just need experance as an EMT-B... Something you might want to look into.

[sincitymedic]

OK. First off PLEASE DO NOT BECOME A PARAMEDIC BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER. THAT IS YOUR FIRST MISTAKE. You will not make it through a paramedic school sucessfully. When I was in school we had four students that were in school for this very reason, and failed out very early in the program. I can only say if you want to be firefighter, then focus on that. If after you become a firefighter then consider being sponsered by your department. Plus you'll get paid while your in school. Good luck.

[TalkEMS]

OK. First off PLEASE DO NOT BECOME A PARAMEDIC BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER.

I concur.

Matt - TalkEMS.com (http://www.talkems.com/forum)

[Geinandputitout]

Hey figure out how to go to paramedic school = get a loan, work at night, do what you have to do. It will pay off in the end.

I know I am going to get burned, but going to paramedic school is a great way to make you a better candidate.

EMSers talk about being dedicated to this and that... yada yada yada. I am dedicated to my family. The best way that I can support my family is in the fire service - better schedule, better benefits, better retirement, and better wages.

Drop the fire science stuff and go to paramedic school - it will pay off in the end. Then have this debate in 25 years when your retired and some "dedicated" EMSErs are still running 25 calls on a mid-night shift. We can have a beer in your fishing boat. Good Luck!

[700fireems]

If the department you want to work for requires Medic...then its not an option

If the department you want to work for gives extra points for Medic and you will be competing with other Medics...well....that says it all.

If the department you want to work for does not care if you have Medic at all, such as Dallas FD (even if you are a Medic and they hire you, you have to go through their Paramedic school again)...then don't.

The main thing is, if others you will be competing against have Medic and you don't, well you might want to get it....

[mjteague]

Sparky,
Look around for fire depts. that will put you through paramedic school. Both Sacramento Fire Dept. and Sacramento Metro Fire Dept run paramedic intern programs that will put you through both the fire academy and paramedic school. Usually means three years of your life but then you get the everything you want, fire dept job and paramedic training.

There are several community college that have paramedic programs. They are cheap compared to private programs. American River College in Sacramento has a program. Cost is significantly less than $8500 and it is approved for financial aid.

I agree that you should not become a paramedic if it is only to get a fire dept. job. Being a paramedic takes a lot of dedication. If you do this only to get a fire job, you will begin to hate being a paramedic. This will make your life miserable. I have seen this a number of times.

Don't worry about your age. We recently hired a guy who was 48 years old. Obviously he won't be working for thirty years but he still realized his dream of being a firefighter.

If you have any specific questions about this stuff feel free to email me at mjteague.@.comast.net

Mike

[BCLepore]

I am not a big advocate of putting yourself through paramedic school just to make it easier to get hired on the fire department. In your case I would recommend it for one reason only….your age.

Age is not really a primary factor when getting hired, unless you are really old (like 38) or really young. Yes, fire departments do hire older candidates but it is the exception rather than the rule.

My wife graduated Cal State Long Beach as a Physical Therapist. She had 70K in student loans. 15K in student loans to graduate medic school to land a job that pays 75K (San Francisco Bay area pays big bucks) is not too bad an investment.

Good luck with your decision.

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
www.asapiringfirefighters.com