I would also add that as excited as you are to learn, go ahead and read that EMT book from 1998. Sure, things will be out dated but most of your questions will be able to be answered out of that text. Plus, when you get into your EMT-basic class, any new information will be conveyed to you and you will get the newer information and be one step ahead of most of your class. Even though some things have changed, you can still learn an incredible amount from that book. Have fun and hurry up and get into a class!!!
P.S. you're going to take a National Registry test at the end of your class so dont worry about waiting until you move to another state before you get in a class! Just go sign up! It sounds like you'll enjoy it
Also, to the OP, you sound like you have a sincere interest in EMS! If you would like to send me your name/mailing address via PM, I will mail you a totally decent stethoscope and a more current EMS book that I have laying around. That should get you started. Don't put off class until life gets in the way!