FF's required to become ALS ........

[CFEMS15]

Do you know of any departments that are requiring their firefighters to become ALS providers? I am looking for departments that are requiring new hires and/or current employees to become Intermediates or paramedics as an answer for their ALS dilemma. If you can provide a telephone number or e-mail address for a contact at the department it would be appreciated.

If you department is taking this step, I would also like to hear your opinion on it.

I am planning on using this information in a research paper.

Thank you for your help!

[Weruj1]

here in our area there are a few departments that only hire FF/medics, I dont think it is because they are in a dilemas, that is how they choose to do things. They are Perrysburg Ohio, Sylvania Twp Ohio, Sandusky Ohio. I will try and find you contacts for 2 of the three where I know I have an in.

[engine1321]

Also in Ohio...

Xenia, Ohio also does this... every firefighter a paramedic. From what I understand, they do it to provide high levels of care faster and more efficiently than private ambulance services. Kind of like a one call, one response type thing.

We have all levels in the Township, but we have a paramedic chief and several other paramedic chasers so that EMT-B's and I's can get out the door and meet a medic on scene. It works for us. We're exploring a full time option as a solution.

[hwoods]

And Here........

Prince Georges County Md requires all new hires to become EMT-P certified within 4 years of of their hire date, AT THEIR OWN TIME AND EXPENSE, or so I'm told. This program has been around long enough that some of the first hired have left for jobs elsewhere, after getting Fire training and 4 years experience here. No one that I have discussed this with likes the program, many think it will die. Those of us who Volunteer here, shouldn't have an opinion because it doesn't affect Volunteers, according to some management types. But, when something makes the folks that you work with in the field unhappy, it affects everyone. In my opinion, which is shared by most of my friends, Paid and Volunteer alike, No one should have to be both a Firefighter and a Paramedic at the same time. Both fields are too specialized now and this is a strain on the people who are forced to do it. Stay Safe....

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

I respectfully disagree Harve

The only thing I agree with is that your new hires shouldnt have to pay for paramedic school. ALS is hardly a new concept and the idea of being a "cross dresser"..ie: paramedic,is not asking too much of firefighters... As long as they know they have to get licensed in a certain amount of time after they get hired. Around here, being a paramedic means better wages.

[Duffman]

Many departments in this area are requiring paramedic certification in order to be hired. It saves tons of money in training costs.

[KingHippo]

"Do you know of any departments that are requiring their firefighters to become ALS providers?"

I've seen a number of depts. go ALS, but none of them have required current members to become paramedics; rather, they require all members hired after a certain date to obtain and retain a medic license. Older members are grandfathered in. I would be interested to see if any department suddenly required members to become paramedics in order to keep their jobs. Would that even be legal? If upon your initial hiring you were told that you had to retain an EMT license, and then 10 years later they told you you had to become a medic, or risk losing your job, would you have any recourse?

[CollegeBuff]

Most paid departments in RI require probies to get their Cardiac license (we basically invented our own ALS cert. level between Intermediate and Paramedic and phased out Intermediate) within a year of hire. Some require it in order to GET hired.

[FiremedicMike]

edit to remove personal info.

[SCOOBY14B]

Marietta Georgia
Smyrna Georgia

[WTFDChief730]

The Toledo, Ohio FD requires all new hirees to become paramedics sometime during or after their probationary period. This is clearly stated when they sign up to take the civil service exam.

[Weruj1]

Ron,
How long has that been in effect ?

[distchief60b]

Almost everyone in Florida requires EMTP. There is no EMTI. Pinellas County Florida is a good place to get information as they were a pioneer in this arena and have one of the highest rated EMS systems in the country.

Spring Hill Fire and Rescue requires EMTP in 2 years, but they pay for it and send you on duty.

Hernando County Fire and Rescue is requiring EMTP but I think they give you 3 years and they also pay for it up front and send you on duty and pay OT for any off duty time. When you get the certification they give you a $6000.00 incentive.