General Forums >> Ask a Firefighter >> Which to pursue first?...Paramedic License or Firefighter 1 Cert?
Which to pursue first?...Paramedic License or Firefighter 1 Cert?
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Posted 4 months ago Hi, I live in CA, in the South Bay Area and am looking to become a Firefighter. I am currently an EMT-Basic working Full-Time for a local private ambulance company providing both ALS and BLS services. I have 4-years military experience, a Bachelor's Degree and 1.5 yrs of Volunteer Firefighting experience. I want to be as competitive as possible and am wondering whether at this point, a Paramedic License and experience or Firefighter 1 Cert would be more beneficial. It seems most departments are looking for Medics, yet many are also hiring Firefighter EMT's but most require Firefighter 1 Cert. Can those with experience please give me their opinions?
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| Posted 4 months ago In my area of St Lucie County in FL you have to have at least F/F cert 1 to work at a station. I'm an EMT-B waiting to take my agility test in Sept. Stations in this area almost prefer EMT/FF over Medics, but at this stage I just want to work and will go to any station that will take me. I hope whatever you choose, you have much success and be safe. |
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| Posted 4 months ago I am thinking that you would want to go for the for your f/f. You may have the Paramedic-while the dept wants you to have the f/f. therefor keeping you from getting hired on. Get your f/f and get your foot in the door. After that, if you are wanting to continue your education and focus more on the Medic part--get your paramedic. |
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| Posted 4 months ago I would defiently get your Paramedic first. No doubt about it. If you do that your job openings will expand more than FF 1 cert. Not to mention the pay would be great depending on where you go. I know where I am from, Paramedics get paid more not to mention they have more skills in a pre hospital setting. Some Fire depts will work with you if you have your Paramedic. I know depts would love to have more paramedics, due to the skills they can preform outside of normal firefighters and Emts fields. I'm thinking about getting Paramedic cert. I am already Firefighter cert and EMT cert. The more knowledge the better I am and the better off the dept is. Knowledge is power. "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 4 months ago I would suggest the opposite. Get your firefighter certification and try to get on a full time fire department. Then persue your medic training. Maybe the fire department would pay for your medic training. With a degree, emt-b and ff1 or 2, you should have no problem getting hired on a full time fire dept. The benefits and pay are usually better. You know, 401k vs. pension and retirement. Check out health care, dental and vision benefits and compare them to what you currently have. |
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| Posted 4 months ago I wouldn't recommend trying to do both at the same time. There is tons of studying for each, and both will consume a lot of your time. Don't plan on a social life while attending either. |
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| Posted 4 months ago i would have to agree with emtjad. since you're already an EMT-basic getting your FF1 card would definately open you up to fire depts. even if you didnt have a basic card obtaining your FF card makes you a first responder. being a paramedic already would be great just like usmc said you would be able to make more money with that. but wouldn't get you on a dept. but depending on where you live, just having enough hrs for the volunteer status also gets your foot in the door and its a lot less then the FF1 or FF2 cert, and then later go for the full fire card. FYI though, many depts will offer to send you to medic school. whatever you decide DO NOT do both at the same time. you are bound to do poorly on one or the other. and that would be a waste of time and your money. also since you are a basic already gain some experience at that. and when you are comfortable at it medic school will be a breeze. good luck
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