San Diego non-fire medics

[rccmedic39]

I was just wondering what the market is like in SD for a non-fire medic. I know Rural-Metro and AMR both have ALS contracts, but I was curious what the pay and work environment is like, especially in comparison to AMR in Riverside and SB county. Thanks.

[zzyzx]

I've never worked for Rural-Metro, but I've gone down to check out their operation and had a chance to talk to some of their medics. My impression is that they have a very good operation, much better than AMR Riverside where I used to work. Most of the units are stationed at fire stations, and you run calls with the engine, which has a fire medic. Some years ago the FD got rid of all their medic ambulances, and now Rural-Metro does all their transports for them. Pay is a little better than AMR, but not much.

I talked to a guy who worked for AMR in Chula Vista, and he said the pay was horrible. The only positive thing was that they worked dual medic and that fire was BLS only.

Protocols for San Diego and Riverside are similar (much better than LA), but in San Diego you are required to make a very lengthy radio report to the base.

[CBEMT]

I believe R/M just filed for Chapter 11, or something similar....?

[Dustdevil]

I believe R/M just filed for Chapter 11, or something similar....?

Again? That's been an on-and-off threat for ten years now. They restructured in Y2K and pulled out of dozens of markets, including leaving the City of Fort Worth, Texas high and dry. Like AMR, they bit off way more than they could chew with their rapid expansion acquisitions across the country. As if any of us couldn't see that coming.

[blsemt191]

Does anyone know what it's like working for R/M as an EMT Basic do you get to run 911 type calls with fire or are you for the most part stuck doing IFT's all day and what is the pay. 8) 8)

any input is appreciated thanks

[zzyzx]

You do mostly (probably 90%) emergency calls.

It probably won't be easy to get hired by them since nearly everyone graduating from EMT class will want to work for them.

[rccmedic39]

how about for a medic? Does anyone how they are assigned. pay, etc...I'm considering working there after school, and I can't get answers from their HR. I'll try to go down and check it out, but I'm just wondering if anyone here can give me a little insight. Thanks.

[zzyzx]

It shouldn't be hard getting hired as a medic. They have as hard a time keeping medics as all other privates in CA.

[rccmedic39]

Yeah I live up in RivCo but everyone I know that is a medic for AMR seems to hate it. I'd love to be a medic for SD Fire and I've heard that they hire a lot from the R/M guys.

[zzyzx]

If you work as a medic for SD Fire, you won't really be a medic.