I have been reading in here for a long time but have never registered or posted. I would like to explain how our department has structured its EMS system and get some feedback on it. First off, we have a large city department that provides fire protection and EMS. The ambulance runs with two paramedics. To become a paramedic one must promote from the rank of firefighter to driver. Once you are on the list to promote, you have opened yourself up to being "drafted into EMS" because there aren't enough volunteers. What ends up happening is firefighters who have zero interest in being a paramedic are now forced to pass the paramedic class and do an indefinite amount of time in EMS. This is straight EMS, no fire at all. The only way back to fire is to promote to Lt., put in for a specialty position or do several years in EMS and hope they will let you out eventually. If someone wants to be a paramedic only and not a firefighter, he would still have to be firefighter for at least 2 years and take the promotions exam and volunteer to go to EMS. If a firefighter only wants to be a firefighter/EMT, then he would be smart to never attempt to promote. This seems to me to be a waste of resources. A firefighter who does not wish to be a paramedic riding the box every shift will take his first opportunity to leave EMS to go back to fire. A potential applicant who wants to be a paramedic or is already trained as one
won't apply because he/she will have to train to be a firefighter and then work as a firefighter for as long as it takes to promote. Have you heard of any other dept. structured this way and what is the best way to do it? I have some ideas and people have had ideas over the years but it always falls on deaf ears. What so you think?
won't apply because he/she will have to train to be a firefighter and then work as a firefighter for as long as it takes to promote. Have you heard of any other dept. structured this way and what is the best way to do it? I have some ideas and people have had ideas over the years but it always falls on deaf ears. What so you think?
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