Need Some Advice

[nwadler]

I am a junior in college and just finished an internship in accounting at a global industry. Due to this internship I have reaffirmed that the cube life is not for me. I have been in the fire and ems field since I was 16. I was originally headed towards a degree in fire science when things changed and went into accounting mostly due to home persuasion. Since my internship I have now decided to finish my bachelor degree and go pursue a career as a firefighter paramedic. I have been a vol. in fire and ems since I was 16 in NY and my plans are to move south and get a job. I am looking for some advice from people on things I might do before I leave my area to help me with getting a job. Your advice is much appreciated. One other note is that I have been through many other post on here and have not found what I was looking for which isn’t much

[DennisTheMenace]

Get your degree in something other than fire science so that you have the "fall back on" position your parents(likely the payers of the tuition) would like you to have(it is a good idea too). Then upon graduation, or at a time approaching graduation, go out and start taking the hireing exams in the areas that you are interested in settleing in.

[Catch22]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but having the accounting background one could pull a degree in Public Administration, Fire Service Administration, or some other degree that a lot of department's desire in their administrative officers. After all, who better to handle budgets than someone with accounting experience.

I've not been impressed with many of the Fire Science degree programs I've seen. College is supposed to prepare you for a career and moving up the career ladder, the FS programs I've seen teach you how to be a firefighter, not how to handle the things you'll see as you promote. I'll admit I'm looking into a FS degree (Associates) or something similar, but it's only to get me toward my Fire Administration Bachelors.

[CaptOldTimer]

!!!


Get a political science and a business administration degree and also the associate in fire science. Having these can't hurt you, and will help if you want to move up the ranks some day. Being a paramedic for 20 or 30 years isn't something that you should look at. Maybe 5 or less years will be all you can take. Work torward a masters also.

You aren't going to get hired as a member (firefighter) to handle budgets. You will work in a fire company to start.

[BirkenVogt]

Also just some friendly advice, don't become a paramedic to get a job as a firefighter. Only become a paramedic if you want to be a paramedic. (Nothing wrong with a dual role firefighter/paramedic, but those who get the card just to get a job...well...I think everyone knows what I am saying.)

Birken

[kfiregirL]

If you are planning to move to the South being a Paramedic is your ticket to getting on a department down here. Although, having any degree is a major plus for promotions. But before you move to the South you need to really do your research.

First, do you want to be a Paramedic? Or a Fireman? The reason I ask is that many of the departments in the metro areas of Georgia have ambulances and if you are a Paramedic you will NEVER be on an engine or truck. If you want to be a Firemedic, make sure you go to a department that does not transport.

Second, If you get you Paramedic card up north, compare the programs. One of the medics on my engine (I work for a department that does not have ambulances came from up North and had to jump through hoops to get reciprocity here.

Last but not least, come down and ride first. From talking to the guys that have moved down here, things are very different. Especially the money!!!!!!

[E229Lt]

http://nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/community/employment_index.shtml

[MemphisE34a]

229,

That marketing flyer with the clean female firefighter kissing the cute lil baby just gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all over.

[Dave1983]

First, do you want to be a Paramedic? Or a Fireman? The reason I ask is that many of the departments in the metro areas of Georgia have ambulances and if you are a Paramedic you will NEVER be on an engine or truck. If you want to be a Firemedic, make sure you go to a department that does not

Some good advise. Unless you want to ride the bus for years, find a department down here that runs ALS engines.

[hwoods]

Uhhhhhh......................

Some good advise. Unless you want to ride the bus for years, find a department down here that runs ALS engines.

OR, better yet, don't go THAT far South. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, Money's good, Jobs are REASONABLY available. PM Tickets help, but you don't have to ride a box for years if you use a PM Ticket to get hired. Fire does all the EMS in Maryland, Private Ambulances are for Transport between Facilities, and they do not handle 911 calls. You ought to look into Maryland and Northern Virginia, it's a good deal.

[nwadler]

Thank you all for the advice. I want to get my paramedic card some day possibly. I am going to finish my degree in accounting before I do anything since I have only a year left. I guess all I need to do now is start looking around where I might want to go. As I said before I am looking to move south but right now any place will do given the area is nice and the pay is enough to actually live on.

[DennisTheMenace]

Thank you all for the advice. I want to get my paramedic card some day possibly. I am going to finish my degree in accounting before I do anything since I have only a year left. I guess all I need to do now is start looking around where I might want to go. As I said before I am looking to move south but right now any place will do given the area is nice and the pay is enough to actually live on.

If you have just a year(nine months) left, it is time for you to start taking the hiring exams as they come up.

[nwadler]

What is the best way to find out about exams outside of the state I live in. I know they announce them on the FD web site but is there any better way than that.

[DennisTheMenace]

What is the best way to find out about exams outside of the state I live in. I know they announce them on the FD web site but is there any better way than that.

Just surf the web. Where do you want to move to?

[nwadler]

I am looking towards the NC, SC, Maryland, Virginia area if that isnt too large of a choice.