Few questions, answers Please

[ILoveMyself]

Ok I am graduating high school in May and going to college where I am going to be taking fire science. After this summer in college im also going to be taking my emt/firefighter classes. Should I go for paramedic and spend the time or is that something I could do after I find a job?

Also other specialties like Swift Water Rescue, Dive Team, and Air Operations, are they highly looked upon when getting a job? Or any benefits with them?

Thanks in advance and I am just starting to research firefighting so I am a noob right now when it comes to the info.

[WaterbryVTfire]

Go to school get you degree in FS. If possible also take EMT. Don't worry about the specialized rescue techniques for a while. Good luck!!

[BMAIGM]

what do you mean by air operations?

[doughesson]

what do you mean by air operations?

Working with helos,setting up an LZ and watching as the Chief or Captain direct the helo to a safe landing and egress from the scene.

[OlieCan]

Work twards a degree, and maybe go for EMT. All those other classes (SWR, Air, yadda yadda, wait til you're on a dept. because they will often pay for the class, and pay you to go. My dept pays for all my schooling, and pays me for the time Im in class, its a sweet deal.

[ILoveMyself]

Work twards a degree, and maybe go for EMT. All those other classes (SWR, Air, yadda yadda, wait til you're on a dept. because they will often pay for the class, and pay you to go. My dept pays for all my schooling, and pays me for the time Im in class, its a sweet deal.

Sounds good, thanks for the help.

[doughesson]

Work twards a degree, and maybe go for EMT. All those other classes (SWR, Air, yadda yadda, wait til you're on a dept. because they will often pay for the class, and pay you to go. My dept pays for all my schooling, and pays me for the time Im in class, its a sweet deal.


I agree.Some of the best times I've had were on training school trips.Even though we were there to learn new skills,there was still plenty of time to crash parties and such.Other than that,what happens at fire school,stays at fire school.
I am not sure how that rule applies when in EMT classes at the local community school and on a filed trip from there,though.

[ACfire1]

Yes, get a Fire Science degree and get your EMT. Thats what I am doing, working good so far too

[clark918]

Right now I'm working on my degree. I already took FF1 and I'm currently in EMT-B. I'd recommend taking both of those classes while working on the degree if you have time. That way you might be able to get on a volly or POC dept while attending school. Also with our Associate Degree program there is a class that we can take towards the end of our schooling where they assign us to a local full-time department and we get to intern. However, I think they require us to have both FF1 and EMT-B. On top of all that, I found that FF1 is helping me with all of my other classes. So far in Tactics and Strategy, I already knew everything I've been taught so far. You learn those basic things in FF1, but they other classes build on that. Hope that all made sense. Good luck!

[jccrabby3084]

I agree with the rest so won't state it......Although as for Paramedic....work as an EMT for awhile before going medic. I have seen way too many EMTs straight out of school going for Paramedic. They come to us for a ride along and don't even know how to take a B/P. Get your basics down before thinking of medic. If you can get someone else to pay for it great...However, it looks nice on a resume that you have paramedic when applying as a career FF....something else the dept won't have to pay for. They will usually hook you up with the technical resue stuff if that is what they do.

[giweff]

Get some EMT Skills But also I would try and get Started on paramedic too it takes almost two years to get EMT and Medic done so unless you want to be in school a long time With fire science and Parmedic. I dont know how it is where you are from but in St. Louis County you pretty much have to be a MEDIC if you want a good paying firefighter Job.

[Geinandputitout]

go to paramedic school. it gives you a trade you can practice until you get hired, unlike most other training / education, and gives you a leg up on your competition in many departments