EMSCynic

If you have money to waste, and don't care how you spend your last few months Stateside, go ahead! But I suggest you seek out past students, and inform yourself. Use the short list--students that passed The Registry--takes only a few minutes! No frills here--NOTHING'S included... Textbook: $extra$ Workbook: $extra$(and wait for it to be ordered. It's not in stock, and it's not used) Testing Fee: Not Applicable (you need to find your own written and practical Registry Exam) The Owner/Instructor will read the Powerpoint slides to you, give you a few "In-the-Streets" anecdotes and tricks that will make you a lazy provider, then turn you loose to practice skills under the expert eye of past students who haven't passed the registry on their latest try, and need more work. Blind leading the...you get the picture. On the other hand--If you're a good reader, and pick up skills easily, this course does follow the DOT National Curriculum. If you keep up with the subject matter on your own, and know someone in the field who can help you with questions and guide you through the skills, you will come out with the ability to pass the tests, and even be a passable provider. (I have actually met a couple of them, from that school!) You already have some training that Uncle Sam beat in to your BDU's. That gives you a leg up to begin with. I'm sure you'd do well. Why not hedge your bet, though. Try the Elliot, or Parkland, St. Joe's or SNHMC. They all have good programs, priced about the same. Kick some ass!

The fire dept. is evolving. Volunteer since early last century, it changed a few years ago (almost 10, now!) to Paid, full-time 10-hour day coverage with a small crew, call dept. at night and weekends. Four duty crews rotate weekly for night and weekend coverage, 1 week on and 3 off. Hourly rate paid per call. Pay rate set by a base plus stipends, such as certifications and years service. The range is pretty much $10-$20. If you save up your time sheets, you can get a nice check before Christmas. Within the next few months, they're adding two more full-time positions, changing the coverage to 12 hours, 7 days. The call volume has increased steadily over the past 25 years, from 250 or so in 1980, to 900 in 2004. 75-80% EMS, with a private ambulance company transporting. I spent the first 16 years doing it 100% free, and was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the world of monetary compensation. I thought of the EMS and Fire World as a great hobby, enjoyed giving back to the community, etc., etc. Now, with the increased call volume,required trainings, in-services, protocol roll-outs, re-certs, Homeland Security, HAZMAT, RIT, KFC and WD-40, I guess getting an hourly wage is o.k. Besides, my hobby became a career when I was hired by a private ambulance service almost 10 years ago. Now I fish.

Try working in a system where the transports are only 10-15 minutes, but the crew drags ass for an hour at the hospital, tying up coverage resources.