Ask A Canadian

oh you emt/firefighters,the life of riley

 

That would be awesome. Thank you.

 

Ha! I've paid my dues and deserve the job I have. I started out in the privates, moved up to real departments. The last department I worked on - quit 2 years ago - was a huge metro department. Population of around 300,000 during the day. I was running 14-17 calls per shift. I have worked 48 hour shifts (24 one job, then 24 next job - off every third day) for years..... The place I work for now is in the country and one of the most respected services in the region. I'm very lucky to work here. It's very hard to get on.

 

I suppose people in the states are somewhat reluctant to call an ambulance unless absolutely necessary, given the bill that goes with it. My Mom works at the hospital here and she tells me that the natives on the reserve 100km north of town will call an ambulance to get a free ride into town.

 

You better get on it. Before you know it, you'll be 2 days out and not have a thing packed......

 

Any advice for a guy that hopes to join this most respected service in a few years?

 

Actually..... when I worked in the city, 80% of what I ran was BS. Some people called for a ride to town there too. Stupidest call I had was a woman called because her hair weave was too tight. I said go to the hair salon that did it. She said I don't have money for a cab. I said do you have $600 for an ambulance bill? She said I gots medicaid. In the country where I'm at now - it's reverse. 80% real 20% BS. What does your mom do at the hospital?

 

She's a Laboratory Technologist.

 

Well I'm not sure about where you're at, but around here you need to at least have your EMT license before you get hired. Up north - you had to be a medic. Almost every FD will put you through their own rookie school for FF cert and alot of departments are starting to use CPAT for physical testing before you get hired.

 

That sounds like fun!! Do the hospitals pay decent up there?

 

in Calgary,if we use an ambulance we get billed for it

 

Are they as bad up there about not paying? I think I remember Cantac saying that hockey players ambulance bills get paid, but everyone else has to pay.

 

depends what you mean by decent. I think she makes around $50,000 a year.

 

true, but's it's a fraction of what americans pay for an ambulance ride. natives don't pay for anything.

 

Yeah... I know all the basic reqs, but it's still pretty hard to get in. Did you get through just through being the best of the best? or did you have some extra help from someone you knew already in the dep?

 

Yeah - that's decent!

Most city ambulance rides are around $300 or so. In the country I think our base rate is closer to $800.

All depends are where you are. Yes - Fire service is VERY political..... You can get black-listed as easily as you get hired because you know someone. EVERYONE talks. Up north - very hard to get on places unless you know people. Down here - there is a shortage for medics - but an abundance of people that are FF. Depends on what department you are getting on - some are Fire-EMS combined, some are separate. I used to work for Fire-EMS paid combined department, I know worked for an elite paid EMS rural service and I'm volunteer FF where I live.

 

what the hells going on in here? americans asking americans questions!

 

i just read our paramedics make 28.00 an hour,and a 60 hour work week
i don't think thats that good,I make at least that an I have no where near
the training you guys have

 

I stand corrected, thought it was more than that.

 

Gotcha. I'm mostly hoping for FF. My plan is to volunteer if I have to (to get some experience and a good reputation) and then try and get on a smaller, less competative dept, and just work my way up... we'll see though... thanks for the advice