Medic! Medic!

[Pancho]

I was just wondering how many medics are on at a given department? It seems from what I've gathered on this site that there arent many medics out there, perhaps that is just in comparison with EMTs.
I am thinking about going to med school, however, I think I want to finish EMT-B and get some experience first.
Is it a sure hire once you have your medic cert?
Thanks and stay safe,
Tim

[backsteprescue123]

According to our dept website, we have 12 EMT-P and 20 EMT-B. I think that our medic count may have jumped up by 2 or 3 since this part of the website was last updated though.

And from what I hear, the best thing you can do is to become the best Basic you can be, then go for medic. There are alot of threads on here about that. Just search it.

[Pancho]

Yea thats about the way I was thinking.
As far as searching, I try and it just comes up with a blank screen whenever I type what I want to search...
Thanks for the response!
Stay safe,
Tim

[backsteprescue123]

As far as searching, I try and it just comes up with a blank screen whenever I type what I want to search...

Yeah, I had that problem last night. Keep at it and good luck!

[Pancho]

Will do, thanks =)

[Firemedic515]

I was just wondering how many medics are on at a given department? It seems from what I've gathered on this site that there arent many medics out there, perhaps that is just in comparison with EMTs.
I am thinking about going to med school, however, I think I want to finish EMT-B and get some experience first.
Is it a sure hire once you have your medic cert?
Thanks and stay safe,
Tim

It really depends on what part of the country your talking about. Here in Ohio, 90% of the fire departments run EMS. Therefore, roughly 90% of career firefighters in Ohio are also paramedics (or were at one time). It's getting to the point that some departments (specifically in NE Ohio) are requiring a paramedic certification just to apply for a position. Hence the reason that everybody and their brother is a paramedic around here.

[Pancho]

Yea, I live in MO. Around here all they require right now is FF 1/2 and EMT-B.
I'll make sure not to go to Ohio! lol

[FHandz15]

We are about 60% medic. (25 out of 40)

And we run about 60% EMS calls, go figure lol.

[trailboss2]

Yea, I live in MO. Around here all they require right now is FF 1/2 and EMT-B.
I'll make sure not to go to Ohio! lol

lol yeah trust me, I have been a FFII for 1 year and an emt-b for almost 3 and so far only 3 of the 7 departments I got apps for would let me test. The other 4 wouldnt even look at me unless I was a medic. I start medic school in 9 days though so I just took 2 weeks vacation from work because I have the feeling those 2 weeks were the last of my freedom for the next 8 months.

[FDAIC485]

Yeah, the days of "fire only" are over. Don't take this as a complaint, I've been a fire-based medic for over eleven years.

[Dave1983]

Almost half of our staff is medics. Thats pretty much the average for all FDs around here. I belive most FDs here in Fla run EMS, so your best shot at getting on is get your medic. All the FDs in my area are always looking for medics.

[Pancho]

Hmm... Ok so that brings me to my next question.....

It seems medics are becoming more common if not a requirement....
Obviously to make yourself the best man now is to have a college degree. Is there any specific degree they look for in applicants? I have been thinking about majoring in Exercise Science and Dietetics, something to keep me and the boys/girls safe at the station.
Thanks and stay safe,
Tim

[Leeland]

Well where I'm at we are only required to have EMT-B. There is or was a rumor that the powers that be, wanted both career and volunteers to become medics. Course nobody thought about how to pay for it cause it takes time and isn't cheap. Besides I do have a full time job during the day, Monday thru Friday, I really don't have the time or funds to go back to a college to take medic courses that are only offered during the day.

[cozmosis]

Firefighter/Paramedics are still relatively rare in Arkansas. I'm sure this is because the majority of the fire departments are volunteer or combination departments in smaller municipalities. You can still find a good number of departments in the state that run "fire only."

[FDAIC485]

Well, I couldn't really see a volunteer organization requiring a volunteer firefighter to become anything more than maybe first responder. Requiring EMT-B or EMT-P would be comparable to a hospital requiring volunteer support-staff to become RN's.