General Forums >> Ask a Firefighter >> Combat Medic vs. Paremedic
Combat Medic vs. Paremedic
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Posted 3 months ago I recently enlisted in the Army Reserve as 68W or Health Care Specialist. I believe upon graduation of my job training I will have my EMT-B and maybe my EMT-Intermediate. I'm wondering if when I get back, that would be enough (Military backround and EMT) to start applying to departments in my area or should I continue school to get my Paramedic. Thanks in advance for any feedback. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Continuing your education is always a good idea. Paramedics get paid more than EMT-B/I's seperate from fire departments. Some fire departments pay you more for having your paramedic. Depending on the fire department you want to join, you may only need EMT-B. Some departments have ALS, but you need to do the reasearch to find out if your local fd transports or if there is a seperate ALS provider. Good luck with your training. If at the end of your training you get your NREMT cert. that will be good enough for just about anywhere. Just remember the more Uncle Sam pays for now, the less you have to pay out of pocket. GI Bill and tuition assistance are good things to have. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Revisit this group thread at http://www.firelink.com/topics/181-getting-hired/posts |
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| Posted 3 months ago Most EMS services (in larger cities) require Paramedic. Fire Departments require EMT-B, plus at least FF-1 (basic). Jeff Draper
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| Posted 3 months ago My county has what's called a tacticle medic, made of emts and paramedics, it is a squad or platton of medics that enter SWAT operations. Our Tacticle medics are equipted with normal military equiptment such as m16 A2 and hand gun. We run with the local sheriffs dept and city police dept. That might be something you might want to look into. But you should defiently go and try to get your paramedic cert. Education has never hurt anybody. "Hell, these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal and took Iwo Jima. Bagdad ain't shit." "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." United States Marine Corps |
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| Posted 3 months ago When you get done with 91W training or 68W whichever it is now you will have NREMT-Basic Cert. If you have the time and Uncle Sam is paying for it I would go on to Paramedic School. |
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| Posted 3 months ago A note about tactical medics: You have to have been a field medic/emt with a couple of years experience before you can be on the tactical team. In most places anyway. Some tactical ems teams don't get to carry weapons. I know ours don't. They are trained to "render safe" a variety of weapons. Ours trains with the Michigan State Police and does get some range time with which ever weapons they use, but they don't carry. That's something else to consider before you explore that path. |
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| Posted 3 months ago emtjad says ...
"Hell, these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal and took Iwo Jima. Bagdad ain't shit." "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." United States Marine Corps |
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| Posted 3 months ago Yeah, it's different everywhere. You just have to research the agency you want to work for. The US Border Patrol is hiring by the way. Just thought I'd throw that out there. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Thanks a lot for the feedback. You've all helped a lot. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Continue your education and persue a degree in Health Science. The Military will open up the avenue for you you but you need to be on the National and or your States registersty as a EMT wheather it is B or I it is still not a P. The training is qualified through your GI Bill and only you can make that happen. I have 27 yrs in the Military and I too am a 68W with combat experience but most states don't even consider this. I finished my EMT-P and I will complete my PA degree to further benefit myself and my family. Think about it and set your goal at what you want, The jobs are always going to be there but you need to be qualified before you apply in most cases. |
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| Posted 3 months ago As a former 91a/b (now 68w) and 91C, I would agree with the others... get all the education the Army will provide or pay for.. I went to be a Nurse and have no regrets. The military will get theirs from you, you might as well get yours from them... |
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| Posted 3 months ago After being a combat lifesaver for years while i was active i passed up the opportunity to take a paramedic class when it was offered and i have kicked myself for that choice ever since. And i agree with everyone else continue your education as long as you can. To this day i continue taking classes as i will never no it all but I want to atleast be informed. |