afd1307

if you're taking the nremt test, dont get scared when the test randomly closes on you. it will do this anywhere after the 70th question. Its completely normal, just means you showed or didnt show proficiency. Hopefully the first. Good luck

Firemedic, I thank you for your attack on my maturity without even knowing anything about me. Under proper supervision I was mainly doing traffic control at accident scenes and rolling hoses. I was not entry qualified until age 18 after I took the proper classes to become so. Im sorry that teenagers in your area have led you to believe that all are immature and aren't responsible until 25.

I was hired by a private service at 19 and a freshmen in college, so I only work during breaks/vacations. Something that helped me was being a volly for 6 years, yes, I started when I was 13 on the FD. This experience and driving firetrucks for a year and a half prior to hiring helped since most ambulance companies require people to be 21 to drive ambulances in the area. That is somewhere that I ran into trouble but because of experience and driving record Im now one of the preferred drivers on long transports. I was aided because the Chief of my FD knew the Manager of the ambulance service. So knowing people helps, because then you get to prove yourself on the job once you get it. They would want to hire someone knew because it helps to have not just more seasoned people on departments, because when they go, who is left? Also, new EMT's generally know their stuff, key word generally, which helps to keep the protocols intact. As the saying goes, ALS without BLS is BS. Good luck, Im sure that if you know your stuff you'll be fine and get hired.

thanks for that idea. definitely would work well, since as you bring it up im thinking of one of the lieutenants that is exactly what youre talking about with a tenure'd position.

Its tough cause where I am talking about is a collegiate rescue squad/team that offers a first responder type service. There is an interview process but no skills test for the people on the team. Then there are people on the team that work in EMS only when on campus, and others that work on campus and on full time dept. Everyone is licensed at the NREMT-B level, but its obvious that the skills are lacking for some people. If I am in a position of leadership next year I definately implementing some form of skill test, even if it is how to turn 02 on and change bottles, as that is something I have seen messed up by people on the team, very sad and annoying. Thanks for the opinions. I wanted some ideas and thoughts to know Im not the only one that sees this.

I work in some interesting areas with the high chances for MCI and HAZMAT instances, i.e political events with all presidential candidates in attendance. I often find myself there more as security then ems, but thats a whole nother situation. I think that people in EMS must have a general idea of what they would do in case of a situation when called upon to calm a situation or restrain/fend off someone that is a threat to the general public. Whether this is a first in bag, O2 bottle, trama shears, etc etc I find it important information to have in the back of our minds as a just in case, just like so many other things we keep there, just in case.

I volunteer on a rescue squad and see some people working in EMS that just don't know their stuff. Anyone see any issues with making new volunteers take skill/practical tests to make sure they know their stuff?