GregGeczi

Having worked in the FDNY EMS department, I can assure you, just like the fireman, the mayor walks all over us. NYPD after five years make 90,000 a year, however, you can be a detective or sergeant after two years. So Your third year, you can take the Sergeant Examination and make over 100,000.00 a year with overtime. In the FDNY, the top salary I belive for firemen is 66,000 a year. Paramedics, after five years 55,000.00. Now I was a medic in the FDNY, I wasn't very happy that hose draggers were making 11,000.00 more than I was, when in my opinion, my education is worth more. They are the finest, they are the bravest, however, I am the one who went to Paramedic school for two years (60 college credits) and I can use drugs that they have never even heard of, while there requirements are 10 college credits. So many paramedics leave to become firemen and leave the EMS world behind, or like me who stayed because, well, I like the hustle and bustle of the city, I like working with people and I think that my work, is more of a calling than a firefighter. Anyone can drag a hose, not everyone can deal with seeing multipe gunshot wounds, severe trauma. The gore aspect. NYC in a nutshel because I am running out of time here lol, is very police minded, and not fire/ems minded. It is a pissing match between the NYPD and the FDNY, and the NYPD have always one. I love them, I need them (they need to clear the scene for us before we can go in-police are your first response), but I think us EMTS and Paramedics should be paid the same as firefighters. But we also don't have the Union Representation, like I said, it is a calling. I love my job, would not want to do anything else but ALS, but the cost of living has gone up and my salary has not...

The only advice I can give is group thearpy. I've done it and I know this sounds cheesy, but it literally saved my life.