I started my career in firefighting/EMS when I was eighteen years old. I was fresh out of high school and started my first EMT class. I became interested in firefighting when I met some of my fathers friends who are firefighters. They let me ride along a few times, squirt some water, and observe calls they went on.
I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do from that point on. The hands on, dirty work, and adrenaline rush was my calling. The history and knowledge of the fire service amazes me every time I learn something new. I worked very hard on my first EMT class with the Sacramento fire department. It was not until I was 19 when I got my first job on a transporting BLS ambulance. When this happened, I started to learn about the streets and what training you do and don’t use when you’re out there.
Some of the problems I see new EMT’s face are not ones of pure class and textbook material, map reading, or defining complex medications. It’s how dedicated they are and how bad they want the next step. With firefighting and the hiring process, they [fire departments] do not just look at how many certifications you have, but what kind of person you are. A fire captain once told me, “As soon as you start training to become a fireman, it’s as if you are wearing your uniform all the time.” Everything you do defines who you are. From drinking, fighting, getting speeding tickets, disrespect to strangers, and not acting appropriately all define you who are.
We all do things when we were young that we regret. In the end, its all about manning (or woman-ing) up to what happened in the past and not making those same mistakes in the future. Some of the most positive traits you may have, may never be seen by your peers or superiors; but at some point they will pay off. Examples of this would be: Showing up early to shifts, getting held over on a shift without getting upset, running that extra call, cleaning the rig, checking out the rig, and so on it goes.
The advice I would like to give to the new EMT’s, Medic’s, Firefighter’s, Peace officer’s, and other public safety officers is to work hard. You want to be the professional you trained to be, correct? Then show the rest you are. If your at a BLS (Basic Life Support) company and your dream is to be in the 911 system, let NOTHING stand in your way. Keep applying to 911 positions ALL OVER. Not just the county or city you want, but anywhere that you can become a 911 provider. If you’re at a small town fire department and you want to work at a big department, make it happen. Go to paramedic school, take the engineers test, do whatever it takes to make that next step. You can see my angle on this subject.
Despite the ease of falling into a comfort zone, with this line of work you must not become “comfortable”. You have to constantly take classes, brush up on your skills, train with your fellow coworkers, and continue to better yourself. I understand that people have families, wives/husbands, children, other jobs, money problems, time commitment issues, and other obstacles that stop you from taking that next step. The goal is to work through it despite the fact that it will difficult. It may not fit you for that current time and may not be what you want at the moment, but think about the future and what lies down the road.
My experience becoming a 911 EMT was not an easy task, and it took at least a year to get hired due to the economy. I was working at another ambulance company for a good amount of time before I was hired. I made the tough decision of leaving a secure full-time position to go into the unknown. I knew making this switch was the right thing to do, and it was only one in a long line of hard decisions I would have to make.
I was hired on as a float EMT. My job would entail me from working: Days, Nights, 24 hour shifts, swing shifts, and half day shifts. I would also have a different partner every day. My partners’ titles ranged from: EMT-B, EMT-P, CCT-RN, and Paramedic Supervisors. The first three months were hard. Sleep was rare and still is, though I continue to better myself by teaching CPR to lay rescuers, taking classes to keep up my EMT skills, and most recently enrolling in the LMC fire academy.
My advice to future public safety workers… Stay safe, stay smart, and work when no one is looking. This will be your future career; you are becoming a professional in your skill and field. People will depend on you night and day, whether you are tired, hungry, or sad. You are going to become (or already are) a part of society that is held to a higher standard. You will be remembered for your mistakes before all the things you have done right. Your integrity, wisdom, ethics, and morals will be tested. You will be pushed harder than you ever have.
Good-luck to your future, and hope to see you 10-97 (on scene)!
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