Where to begin?

[emSRuiz]

Last November 2010 my employer moved to India and I was displaced(mortgage servicing). I had a small time period of warning and decided it was time for a career change. I had looked into a fire academy but my friend told me to get Emt certified before any fire training. He also recomended I volunteer with a fire company. I recently got my emt basic certification and now hope to volunteer. I have recently applied with the 2 local firehouses even though had just finished their hiring process.
Because I lost my job overseas I currently qualify for TAA that covers up to 10,000 in training for another line of work. So now I wonder if I should do a Paramedic course or fire academy?
My background history has no misdeamnors at all. I was charged with a dui 10 years ago when I was 18-19. Currently also have 3 speeding tickets within the last two years.( another reason I hope to attend paramedic school is because I should hen have a clean 3 years driving record).

Do you think I will be rejected employment because of my record?? Does anyone know of any departments that take volunteers? I am willing to put in the time even if its 24 hour shifts as a volunteer. I want to put my Emt skills to work.

Thanks
Saul
Olivehurst Ca

[paulLepore]

You have lots of questions, let me see if I can help point you in the right direction:

1. Put your EMT skills to work. Get a job on a private ambulance RUNNING 911 calls. This will help prepare your for PM school. You do not want to go to school without being a STRONG EMT.

2. A basic fire academy will help you get hired. It will also help you once you do get hired and are in a fire department's academy. If you are learning how to throw ladders or how to pull hose for the first time in a fire department's academy, you will be well behind the curve. Many places have a 30-40% fail rate.

3. A DUI will hurt you. It's better that it's 10 years old, but the 3 speeding tickets show a continued pattern of poor decisions. You will find that this will make it difficult for you to get a job driving an ambulance. Ambulance companies are reluctant to hire someone to drive code 3 in an ambulance when they have demonstrated that they like to drive fast.....

Check with the ambulance companies and see if you can get a job. You may have to wait for the points to clear off your record. In the mean time put yourself through a fire academy......

[emSRuiz]

Thank you Paul

[AJ770]

I would do paramedic over the fire academy. Lots of depts recruit medics out of school and 9 times outta 10 even with ff1+2 your still going through that depts academy. Like Paul said the speeding tickets show a pattern and the fact you have three in 2 years shows a lack of discipline. The DUI wont be a deal breaker 10yrs ago andbeing 19 teens make mistakes. I would look into medic, fire science, ff1 ff2 and let time heal that driving record. I honestly think if you apply now the tickets would kill you.

[emSRuiz]

Thank you AJ770. I feel that Paramedic school is going to be a challange since I don't have any experience but I'm up for the challenge. PM school starts in Aug so I hope I can get the opportunity to Volunteer. I would even be willing to do two 24 hour shifts per week.

[sjmedic2003]

I think Paul had it right. Work in the field. Anyone can go to school, but proof that you are a good employee with a solid work track record speaks pretty loud. Get some EMT experience with an ambulance company to help prepare you for Paramedic school. Work as a Medic, attend a Fire Academy while employed, get the FF1 and start applying for fire jobs.

[emSRuiz]

Decided that while I wait to volunteer with a Fire Dept I could put in some work at a hospital. Just filled out an app to volunteer in the ER. Guess I have to roll with the flow. Thanks for the advice

Saul