*****The Official Medics/EMTs/Firefighters..Pt II******

[YourIHero]

What's a good side job for a emt/paramedic? I'm thinking of doing plumbing on the side but not sure yet. I heard it fuks with your back and knees (no homo)

[meatjesus]

Almost done with probation, literally counting down the shifts.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

What's everyone been up too

Nothing too exciting. Been taking some classes here and there, wheeling an engine here and there, and running fk tons of calls on the amberlamps.

Running some good calls though, which are obviously sprinkled in among a lot of bullsht, but definitely some critical cases that required me to think.

What's a good side job for a emt/paramedic? I'm thinking of doing plumbing on the side but not sure yet. I heard it fuks with your back and knees (no homo)

Just about any trade work is going to be rough on your body. A lot of my coworkers build decks, renovate homes, are electricians, etc.

Basically, it's gotta be something that allows you some flexibility in terms of your hours. Ask around your department, I guarantee there are some guys who own their own business' who would hire you for part time work if you know what you're doing.

I just prefer to work overtime instead.

Almost done with probation, literally counting down the shifts.

Awesome, congrats man!

[CanardLaque]

Applied for a FSA position and got a letter for testing in 2 weeks. I'm pretty psyched, I'd like some tips from anyone here to get the job. I need to get a foot inside the FD!
Located in LA county.

[Yeti06]

Applied for a FSA position and got a letter for testing in 2 weeks. I'm pretty psyched, I'd like some tips from anyone here to get the job. I need to get a foot inside the FD!
Located in LA county.

Good luck!


Just found out the jobs I interviewed for were given to two guys with less experience than me, a bit aggravating but a blessing in the long run.

[FOSteven]

Starting my EMT class in the Spring. I do want to get into firefighting ultimately. I spent a LONG time trying to figure out what I want to do. Mostly, I was looking at careers that paid well but I had little to no passion for. I ended up deciding this is the path I want to follow regardless of the pay. Would you guys who are working full time consider your career fulfilling? If you could go back and study something else, would you?

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Starting my EMT class in the Spring. I do want to get into firefighting ultimately. I spent a LONG time trying to figure out what I want to do. Mostly, I was looking at careers that paid well but I had little to no passion for. I ended up deciding this is the path I want to follow regardless of the pay. Would you guys who are working full time consider your career fulfilling? If you could go back and study something else, would you?

The pay isn't always bad. There are plenty of departments that pay very well, of course they are dwarfed by the sheer number of small, sometimes rural, departments that pay far less.

I am absolutely fulfilled by what I do. It can be an incredibly rewarding job at times. You've got to take the bad with the good, some days are kinda going to suck. But even a sucky day on the job is still pretty awesome.

I have no regrets about becoming a firefighter and/or paramedic.

[FOSteven]

The pay isn't always bad. There are plenty of departments that pay very well, of course they are dwarfed by the sheer number of small, sometimes rural, departments that pay far less.

I am absolutely fulfilled by what I do. It can be an incredibly rewarding job at times. You've got to take the bad with the good, some days are kinda going to suck. But even a sucky day on the job is still pretty awesome.

I have no regrets about becoming a firefighter and/or paramedic.

Hell yeah brother. I'm going to call some local departments tomorrow and see if I can talk to some of the guys and get some guidance. Thanks for the response.

[FOSteven]

So I met with the local FD Chief today. It went well, he offered some guidance. I'll be taking my FF1, FF2, and Hazmat in the Spring and EMT-B in the Summer. Very excited

[punksurfer024]

Starting my EMT class in the Spring. I do want to get into firefighting ultimately. I spent a LONG time trying to figure out what I want to do. Mostly, I was looking at careers that paid well but I had little to no passion for. I ended up deciding this is the path I want to follow regardless of the pay. Would you guys who are working full time consider your career fulfilling? If you could go back and study something else, would you?

Best job in the world.........Ill leave it at that.

[CanardLaque]

What's up guys, Passed test 1 for FSA. Going to take test 2 next week and would need some pointer for studying for this.
" Part II is a proctored, written test covering written expression, reading comprehension, data analysis & decision-making, customer service, knowledge of tools & equipment, and mechanical comprehension."
What do I need to know? especially the tools, equipment , mechanical section. Any help is appreciated.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

What's up guys, Passed test 1 for FSA. Going to take test 2 next week and would need some pointer for studying for this.
" Part II is a proctored, written test covering written expression, reading comprehension, data analysis & decision-making, customer service, knowledge of tools & equipment, and mechanical comprehension."
What do I need to know? especially the tools, equipment , mechanical section. Any help is appreciated.

Something like this?

http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/wp-cont...y_Jan-2015.pdf

[CanardLaque]

^ Thanks brother, this will help. I'm on spread.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

No worries man. I'm sure there's a better study guide somewhere out there, but that's probably the gist of what's going to be on the test.

[patzyy]

6 weeks in medic school and my brain is fried, not to mention my medic program is one of the most difficult in CA, but also high in quality

12/60 E-drugs and 24/192 home meds memorized so far. Going to be a long year

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

6 weeks in medic school and my brain is fried, not to mention my medic program is one of the most difficult in CA, but also high in quality

12/60 E-drugs and 24/192 home meds memorized so far. Going to be a long year

Damn, why so many "home meds"? You sure you didn't sign up for nursing school?

I'm all for knowledge, but that seems like a waste of brain space at this point. Knowing some basics about commonly prescribed meds is good, but knowing 200 of them inside and out? No thanks.

[Foe1605]

6 weeks in medic school and my brain is fried, not to mention my medic program is one of the most difficult in CA, but also high in quality

12/60 E-drugs and 24/192 home meds memorized so far. Going to be a long year

Hang in there. It's not so bad and goes by fast. Just accept that you're not going to have much of a life for the next 12 months and you'll be fine.

[DanielHimself]

Glad I found this thread. Hoping to find some good information (other than the stuff I've read online already) about becoming a firefighter in CA (OC/LA area). Looking to change careers. I'll be 36 in a few months so hopefully that doesn't hold me back too much. Military experience plus a 4-yr degree but no EMT certs or anything. Thinking of applying to Long Beach City College for a certificate or associates in fire science.

[CanardLaque]

Glad I found this thread. Hoping to find some good information (other than the stuff I've read online already) about becoming a firefighter in CA (OC/LA area). Looking to change careers. I'll be 36 in a few months so hopefully that doesn't hold me back too much. Military experience plus a 4-yr degree but no EMT certs or anything. Thinking of applying to Long Beach City College for a certificate or associates in fire science.

Military experience is highly desirable. Go for it man. I hear Long Beach city college is about to have their own Fire academy soon.

[GetHimABodyBag]

Glad I found this thread. Hoping to find some good information (other than the stuff I've read online already) about becoming a firefighter in CA (OC/LA area). Looking to change careers. I'll be 36 in a few months so hopefully that doesn't hold me back too much. Military experience plus a 4-yr degree but no EMT certs or anything. Thinking of applying to Long Beach City College for a certificate or associates in fire science.

Knock out that EMT, asap. See if you like it, because you wil run more medical runs than fires.
Those fire classes are easy and fun, so no big deal

[DanielHimself]

Military experience is highly desirable. Go for it man. I hear Long Beach city college is about to have their own Fire academy soon.

Knock out that EMT, asap. See if you like it, because you wil run more medical runs than fires.
Those fire classes are easy and fun, so no big deal

Thanks guys. I'll do the EMTs first

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

This story just won't go away.


http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/struggl...-into-new-job/

[patzyy]

Man, medic school is tough, and going to be the hardest two or so years of my life.

3 months in and its like trying to drink out of a fire hose (or so they say)

Any tips/tricks I should know?

[Foe1605]

Man, medic school is tough, and going to be the hardest two or so years of my life.

3 months in and its like trying to drink out of a fire hose (or so they say)

Any tips/tricks I should know?

Read your text book, don't get behind, memorize your skill sheets before testing off on them, know your initial assessment like the back of your hand - it's the one thing you can always fall back on when you get lost during a scenario.

[CanardLaque]

This story just won't go away.


http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/struggl...-into-new-job/

Wow, stories like that on the west coast?

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Man, medic school is tough, and going to be the hardest two or so years of my life.

3 months in and its like trying to drink out of a fire hose (or so they say)

Any tips/tricks I should know?

Trust me man, it'll all start to come together at some point. Not sure when that'll be for you, but it'll happen.

It's a lot of new information to digest, but all of us eventually got to a point where things just started clicking. Once you start tying things together and gain a firm grasp on the major bodily systems and how they operate, the rest will just fall into place.

[CanardLaque]

Got me an interview with LA county, stoked I made it this far. Any tips ? What to expect? I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life.

[meatjesus]

Got me an interview with LA county, stoked I made it this far. Any tips ? What to expect? I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life.

Start spending time with the crews there if you are aren't already doing this
They will be able to give you the best advice for interviewing

[coobreeze22]

Got me an interview with LA county, stoked I made it this far. Any tips ? What to expect? I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life.

know the town know the cultural and structural make up.....just know the city. but most importantly make yourself stand out don't just have the generic answers the guy before you is going to provide.

[amenccm]

Alrighty guys. I'm going to be applying for a paramedic degree soon, in the UK, so would anyone be willing to read my personal statement and provide feedback?