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Hi Everyone, I really wanted to get this out, but I wasn't sure where to post this. I'm new (but only posting once). I'm currently in high school and I've been having a lot of uncontrollable seizures which have required medical attention at least 8 times, so as you can imagine, I've met a lot of paramedics/emts/firefighters. I just wanted to thank all the EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters who devote their lives to helping others. I'm sorry that you guys don't get as much appreciation as you deserve. But, I'm so grateful for the paramedics who once saved my life, and for everyone else too (even those i haven't met). I wanted to let you know that as a result of all the amazing first responders, I'm inspired to be at least an EMT (and maybe eventually a paramedic or doctor) but I've got to finish high school first. Anyways, you all are amazing and cool people! I wish you all the best in life, and keep doing the awesome things you do. Don't lose hope when people aren't thankful, because you can be rest assured there is someone out there like me who appreciates everything you do and can't wait until they are old enough (21) to be an EMT. Sorry for the long post, and I hope this put a smile on your faces!

Hi! I'm new to the site so this is really exciting I finished up my EMT basic class in December 2012 and was NREMT certified in January. I'm debating whether or not to go straight into a paramedic program or try to get a job as an EMT first. I live in Washington so what do I need to do for either? Advice and suggestions greatly appreciated

Hi! People from different countries please write about ambulance service in your countries. 1. who works in ambulance? (paramedic teams?, phisician teams? Nurses? nurse=paramedic?) 2. What drugs do you have and which drugs you can use without a doctor (especially write about sedative/anestetics, muscle relaxants,....)? 3. Are there any drugs that you can administer only after "call" to a doctor? 4. Which procedures can you do without doctor (intubation, cardioversion,...)? 5. EM studies - paramedic studies (years?), team leader-ambulance nurses (EM?/anestesia? specialisation?), phisician (specialisation?) -- I write example about EM in my country - Estonia, European Union. 1. We have 3 kinds of teams: nurse-teams ~65% (nurse+nurse+technician), phisician teams (doctor+nurse+technician), intensive care team/reanimobile (EM doctor or anestesiologist+nurse+technician) 2. Mostly all teams have the same drugs. (injections, tablets...) Inj.: Adrenaline, Dopamine, Noradernaline, Phenylephrine, Diazepam, Midazolam, Propofol, Sodium Oxybutyrate (anesthetic), relaxants (optional), Fentanyl (optional, some teams have in the north, and intensives), Morphine, Pethidine, Tramadol; Diclofenac/Ketoprofen, drotaverine, Metoclopramide, Clemastin, Prednisolon, Dexa., Salbutamol (inhal, inj.), Aminophylline, Metoprolol, Digoxin, Verapamil, Adenosine, Amiodarone, Propafenon, Enalapril, clonidin, Nitroglycerine, phenytoin etc.... 3. Usually relaxants for intubation are not used by nurses, some nurses or phisicians use propofol. In some regions it is possible to call to intensive care team - they come and help to stabilise patient. 4. Mostly all teams can do most of procedures - cardioversion with sedation, in CRP - intubation or LT-tube, live patient airway control with LT or intubation (with sedation or anesthesia). And usually we treat at homes (also nurse teams) - Atrial fibrillations, high BP-s, simple abdominal pains, we assess ECG and put diagnoses - if needed hospitalise. 5. to be team leader nurse must to pass EM exam or to study 1,5 years in EM and intensive care specialisation cource and get intensive care nurse specialisation. Doctor - it can be doc. with different or without specialisations. Thanks!!

I'm a clinical practitioner on contract based in Asia (where I have been for over a decade). I contacted Paramedics Australia around the time there was discussion about changing the name from Australian College of Ambulance Professionals (ACAP) about joining/membership. I felt that the site and what it offers members is appealing. The submission of the completed application form results in a determination by Paramedics Australia as to the type of membership and consequently the fees attached to that level of membership. As required on the application form I listed my university qualifications/degrees (more than four) but excluded any not gained through the tertiary sector which are quite numerous, and was subsequently informed that I certainly qualified as a full member (though I cannot at the moment recall what level of membership), in which case the membership fees were some AU$300+ annually. That came as a complete shock, and I was somewhat flabbergasted given that I am not employed in OZ and therefore don't practice there (though this may change). This resulted in me not joining as I appreciated that for the fees asked for there was not a lot of value in return, which is a shame really. If membership also was part of registration much like it is with a regulatory body for nursing and medicine via AHPRA and the relevant boards, I could understand the fees but this is not the case. I feel that Paramedics Australia need to clearly disclose the fees and alongside the types of memberships available for which the applicant chooses. I am a member with multiple allied health organisations/associations including NZ Ambulance Association which charges far less in fees.

I already have my EMT-B. I am planning on attending my local school in Southern PA as soon as I get back from my Family. I am 20 years old, will be 21 in July. I would like some advice on the field. The Do's/Dont's or things I should keep up on so that way, when I finish school I wont have too much trouble finding a spot with a company.

Hello, I am looking for a Paramedic Preceptor, preferably in the Northern CA area. Can be with an ambulance or fire dept. I graduated from NCTI last May and completed my Clinicals at St. Josephs Hospital in Stockton this last august. I have still not been placed by my program due to the overwhelming amount of students compared to the amount of preceptors available through the school. I live in Modesto and currently work full time as a Fire Engineer. I have ALS and BLS ambulance experience of about 1.5 years. I am really eager to get going on this so if you are a preceptor or know of one, id appreciate the information being passed on. I am willing to commute pretty far at this point, probably up to 2 hrs one way. I am also willing to work with a preceptor on overtime shifts etc. to get my hours and experience in. Thanks in advance, Chris

Well, this is it. We have completed our final skills exam and tomorrow is the final exam for my Paramedic Class. We started one year ago, with 39 people in our class. Since then, we have had all of our class time, in class skill training, 500 hours of clinical time, tears, debates, hypertensive crises, laughter, fun, frustration, testing, (ugh) mega-codes and merit badges. Now, we have 14 people taking their final exam. Please pray for us. If you have any advice, I'll be here at the computer studying.

Hello everyone, I'm working on a project to equip my service with emergency response bikes. We cover a lot of "moving events" during which we need to send EMTs very quickly through a dense crowd. We also cover a wide variety of events where we would need vehicles smaller than cars or trucks, yet providing a better response range than a walking response team. In that regard, I'm looking for bike equipments: bags, lights/siren and bike marking. A pair of bikes should board first aid equipments as well as basic vital parameter apparatus, and a 3l bottle of oxygen with BVA and masks. The idea would be to find something like the UK EMT bikes with bags on the rear and by the front wheel. Of course I'd like bags and bike to be the color of my service, as it seems they got some custom ones: Funfact: One of our districts chose the "Segway" solution which ends up pretty nice for public relations and quick response, but they're too expensive, heavy, and require some training. Enjoy:

Hello.. I'm currently an Illinois state licensed paramedic. I took my classes through St. Anthony Medical Center OSF in Rockford, IL. I am looking for an associates in applied sciences and was told a few colleges will accept the course that I took through St. Anthony Medical Center OSF, awarding credits towards an associates degree. I was told that after the college reviews the course and determines what about of credits would be awarded, that I would be required to "buy in" the credits towards the associates degree. Please advise me further if there is any colleges that can do this in order for me to obtain an associates. Thank you,

Hi i was wondering if anyone could help me, I am a EMT-B in Iceland and I want to become a paramedic and they don't offer that in Iceland. It looks like where ever I look I always hit a wall, most common is that I have to become a EMT-B again and I need to be an american citizen. If anyone knows a school or program for me that would be great BR Anna

It looks like I'm going to be relocating to the greater Boston area from Chicago within the next 3-4 months and was wondering what I should know as a Paramedic coming into the area - rough salary expectations, good and bad employers etc... Any and all input is appreciated!

Hello There Everyone! My name is Andrew. I am an EMT-B In NYS. I've been in this business for Four years (I'm Most likely a baby in some of your eyes), three as a certified EMT. I Work in a very, very high call volume (total near 90,000 calls per year for the company). I look foreward to interacting and getting to know Y'all. -Brotherlog63 (If you come to work and dont learn something new, you should most likely rethink what you are doing or how you are acting.)

I have to write a career paper for school. I have chosen the career as a Paramedic and need some information. Can anyone help with the following questions? Educational requirements including: minimum education, continuing education requirements such as those required to maintain certification, and the benefits of advanced education Salary expectations Work-place description Personal characteristics needed to be successful in the position Prospects for growth in the position Prospects for growth of the career field Thanks

Looking for a little help/assistance. I have taken the National Registry Exam more than once with no success in passing. I passed a two year paramedic program through the local university, can/could function as a good paramedic in the field; I just cannot seem to pass the "written" computer exam. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions that might help. I was hired on a municipal fire dept 4 years ago signing a contract that stated I would become a paramedic within 5 years or lose employment. It's been almost 5 years.

Hello to all, as you may can tell, I'm relatively new to the site and I come in peace looking for insight. Currently I am a college freshman who planned on enrolling into the nursing program in a year or two. I have come to the realization that college may not be for me, at least going the nursing route. Since growing up I always wanted to be in the medical field. I have probably looked at over 300+ Youtube videos of on the job paramedic videos, saying to myself I wish that was me. So my question for you is, how should I go about starting off? Are college credits needed for EMT-B? Any suggestions, ideas, and opinions are greatly appreciated. EDIT: Thanks for the response, I'm from Alabama and currently living in a college town with a non-volunteer service, but my hometown is volunteer only. I am just confused on the training process.

I am currently finishing up with an AEMT program in Atlanta, GA. My wife and I are moving to the Washington D.C. area next summer and I wanted to continue on to Paramedic Program. Two programs I found near D.C were at North Virginia and Prince Edward's Community Colleges. I was wondering if anyone could provide any info on the quality of their paramedic programs or if there were any other good programs in the area? I also wanted to know if it would be an easy transition from AEMT to paramedic in that area with all the NREMT levels in the process of changing. (Georgia just switched from EMT-I 85 to AEMT, as far as I know the NOVA area is still working with EMT-I 99 and EMT-P) Any information about programs in the area would be greatly appreciated!!