dlarkin

DustDevil is right, it really matters how the local management treats you. I currently work for Rural/Metro in the Seattle area as a Critical Care Transport Nurse. I have also worked for King County Ambulance (now absorbed by AMR) and Shepard Ambulance (also now AMR). The first company was owned by a couple of guys and while we were treated well the equipment left a lot to be desired. We did a lot of work on the rigs ourselves. When I started at Shepard it was still owned by a single guy and he treated us very well. I think we were the highest paid ambulance company in the nation for a while. We ran hard (29 calls a shift) but we had fun. It was bought out by LifeFleet and became corporate but still the same local supervisors were there. I don't know how it is now with AMR running it. Rural/Metro seems to be pretty good. Of course the bottom line will always rule in any private (and most public) EMS services. We have pretty good equipment. Some of our rigs have over 300,000 miles on them but we have two full time mechanics and any little rattle is looked at right away. We have a couple of new ambulances roll in each month and get sent out to the fleet. The pay is fair for EMS work. We will never get rich doing it but you find a much easier job either. What do I really do for work after all? I move a couple of people and lift the wheels a few times a day! R/M is a nationwide company and the mobility part is correct. One of our Paramedics just transferred to Florida and keeps all seniority, etc. R/M started as a private fire department and we still have fire departments around the country. Some cities find it easier to just contract out the fire department. So if you ever want to move to the fire service you just transfer with the same company.