06weasel

Actually really neither paid, as he suggested the Paramedic be paid and everyone else be volunteer/in training. You still didn't address the point about why you keep referring to them as if the "real" EMS is going to show up. Actually I was more referring to the fact that you told anyone who isn't going to college for specifically EMS to "get out altogether"...because in all likelihood schools and students we are referring to are not necessarily all going to be paramedics. Georgetown and VT I don't think are particularly known for medic programs, so most likely the VEMS people down there aren't going to be medics. And according to you "If you're not serious about contributing to the profession, then get out altogether" because getting a degree in something else means you're not serious about contributing. Again more of a reference to your previous posts, plus the fact that I still don't understand why you refuse to see them as EMS but rather just a first responder organization that waits for EMS to show up. Yes, of course you can give you opinion, and you do. Wasn't trying to say you shouldn't. You're right you didn't say anything about basics, and I'm still not sure what you're trying to say about quality of care of campus EMS members and I'm not sure whether that's connected to their age, their training, or being volunteer. Anyway I dunno maybe I'm confused about what you're trying to say, sure wouldn't mind having that cleared up though though! Eydawn: my understanding of how PSU's EMS system is tangential, my experience with them comes from what you can glean from their website ( http://www1.sa.psu.edu/uhs/ems/emshome.cfm ), what I know about the school, and a few members of the system there. Therefore take it with a grain of salt. Also what kind of calls did those 3 rigs run on? I'm shocked, honestly. When I looked into the EMS system for the college I'm going to (it's a QRS unfortunately) most calls (487 of them for 2003 I think) were either minor trauma or alcohol related, and they even respond into the town... I'm curious to know the call volume and breakdown around you that keeps 3 rigs busy.

The topic is about volunteer EMS squads and yet you keep referring to a theoretical situation in which the volunteers are summoning "EMS" or not making scene before "EMS"... The point is, the volunteer squads ARE the EMS, whether or not you want to admit that. They have the same certs as anyone else who wears the patch. You're talking about them like they're some people who are waiting for the "real" EMS to show up. As Spock said you don't have a great track record for respecting volunteers, or even specifically college EMS (as I found out). I don't mean to disrespect your experience, because yes you have a lot more than most people around here, but try doing something positive for once instead of ripping on every volunteer, every kid who goes to college and is in EMS. Seriously, I've seen you give good, positive advice before and I for one would like to see more of it. As for the situation with PSU it's a lot different from many other places as I understand. They do run their own ambulance squad (not QRS, ambulances). PSU is like a self-contained city, so it's pretty feasible for them to have their own emergency services, they do everything else. College EMS? Great idea in theory, but in practice...not many colleges can afford to run an actual ambulance, and yeah basically you get to pick up drunks. You'd get more real experience running with an actual dept. in the city the college is in. I'd agree with Dust there it's pretty pointless...no experience, and actually if you just ran college EMS for 4 years you'd forget how to handle most everything (geriatrics, pediatrics, almost any medical condition other than being drunk). (See Dust, I'm not totally stupid)

Around here (suburban/semi-rural PA) it's mostly volunteer BLS, paid ALS. The companies I know well have paid staff during the day, and volunteer runs night (except ALS units, they're paid night). One company uses ALS ambulances (2 during the day, 1 ALS 1 BLS during the night), handles ~2000 calls a year. The other is in a slightly more urban setting (All BLS with ALS chase units dispatched out of a nearby hospital) at ~3000 calls a year.

Holy freaking cow, what kind of a :violent1: does that? Apparently someone slept through every single fire school class...ever. Especially the part of the lesson about "You are not Superman, so don't even try." And yes, I'm one of those "18 year old rookies" but I also have the brain cells to know that bunker gear isn't going to make me impervious to fire or something. *ahem* Every company I know around here (they're all volunteer) would never, ever do something that stupid. The only reason it happens in volunteer places is because volunteers have to grub for money and put on dumb shows like this. Lots of people fed into something this awfully bad and stupid. Just as a better alternative for volunteer companies out there: one of the companies I'm with does a mock extrication at our open house. Much better effect, more control over the situation, and a lot less likely someone is going to pull a stunt like in the video.

Hey EMTuKnowMe, if you go through the process anytime soon, could you just let me know any info? I have to transfer a PA state EMT-B certification to NY at the end of August. Yeah and that link is good. If you're from one of the surrounding states I've been told it's pretty easy to get reciprocity...one or two forms and like $25 fee. Anyway if you could let me know how it goes, it'd be really appreciated!

Wow thank you all so much for your responses, I'll address all that I can: CSR: thanks for the info on Corpsman akflightmedic: I probably wouldn't be entering as an officer despite the bachelor's program. Thanks for the Navy suggestion that I didn't know about. I am in no way insinuating that there is a lack of skilled people in the field, rather contrary. Armed forces medical personnel have always struck me as some of the most skilled, calm, cool, respectable people around. I'd really love to learn from and with those people. It's definitely a lot of consideration to do for the next 4 years, but I want to check out my options now so I know what I might be getting into. Xiaomei and xselerate: Yeah I saw the Pararescue option and it looked really good. I'd have to get my vision corrected but I'd definitely train for the next 4 years to get ready for it. It sounds amazing. akflightmedic: Thanks for the links, seems like some good workout plans SSG G-man: Thanks, yeah probably wouldn't be an officer. I'm not looking to make a lifetime career in the military. Dustdevil: In terms of medical I think Pararescue's maintain NREMT-I or NREMT-P. However yeah that's something I'd probably do until I couldn't anymore. Not actually looking for the free training or anything, by 2-3 years I meant 2-3 actually in active duty. Although I would assume you're right, I should probably reconsider to think in terms of longer. I guess I just never thought of myself as a lifer. EMS I plan to be in as long as I'm around, just maybe not in the military. Given me something I need to think about, thanks. Thanks for the input everyone, it's really appreciated.

Much respect on being a vet, God bless. It's probably not a career I'd do for life, I'm thinking somewhere around 1-3 years. That's why I'm getting a bachelor's first, so I have something I can do when I get out. I probably won't fully comprehend the fact that war is truly awful until I'm in it. I just have a thought that war is awful but it's really awful if you're a soldier out there hurt and you don't have a medic to get good help to you. Anyway thanks for an experienced opinion

Thanks for the info on 18D, that's kinda what I figured. I'm not sure what level of training I'll come out of college with (it depends on how much medical training CU will give me credit for) so the being a P.A. thing isn't a concern, but yeah I probably wouldn't make it into SF. And if you know offhand, do you think it would help me to get NREMT-B beforehand (already have EMT-B for my state)? Thanks again for the input.

I would say look into how lisencing is done around your area. I'm in PA, and we have very simple reciprocity agreements with all the surrounding states. However those reciprocity agreements are only for EMT-B. EMT-P is really shaky. Around where I am the general feeling is that NR is definitely worth it, if not a must for Paramedic, but EMT-B it's not necessary. However as everyone else has said, if you're moving somewhere or might be, it's not a bad idea. I think the rule is you have a year to take it so no worries. And congrats on passing EMT-B, hopefully you've got many rewarding calls ahead of you.

I was just wondering what EMS related careers are in the military. I have a few years to decide (I'm getting a bachelor's) but I just wanted to start figuring out where I might be going. I know a lot of people in this forum were in the military or are in the military so I figured it'd be a good place to ask. So here are the options I had thought of: USAF: Pararescue (I'd have to have my vision corrected, and spend the next 4 years training probably. Even then my chances at that are iffy) USN: Corpsman US Army: SF 18D (I think I got it right...and same as Pararescue I'd probably have to train a lot and maybe get my vision corrected) Field medic? (I haven't found any specific literature on this sort of thing, so any info would be appreciated) And of course, is it a good idea to go into those sort of things? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!