Hi Everyone,
I live in the Bay Area, more specifically Oakland and I am attempting to become a firefighter. I am currently enrolled in the First Response (CPR & basic first aid) at Chabot college in Hayward. From everyone I have spoken with, including a few SF firefighters, becoming a Paramedic will greatly increase my chances of getting hired. Therefore I have made this my secondary goal. I will complete the First Response course at the end of the year and will need to go to a school for EMT-B. My problem is this: My goal is to attend the CCSF paramedic program which will begin in October of 2007. If I attend a community college for EMT-B, the semester will end in May of 2007. This leaves at most 4 months to obtain the NREMT certification, California registry, all of the other necessary paperwork and gain EMT-B field experience which CCSF requires 3- 6 months of before being accepted. I spoke with a HR representative from AMR and she stated that getting hired on average, takes about a month. So that cuts on the job experience down to 3 months. This isn’t even accounting for job availability which ebbs & flows throughout the year.
My other option is to go to NCTI in Livermore (which is almost an hours drive from me) to drop $1,700 on a 2 month program. Needless to say I would like to not have to spend that much money and I am somewhat worried about “cramming” such important material. But it does give me two months of breathing room to gain job experience.
Ok, so I am really sorry for the long winded e-mail. I know you all have more valuable things to do with your time than answer some strangers questions, but I really do appreciate any advice you might be able to give as to which program to attend. Either NCTI’s two month $1700 program, or Chabot’s $300 5 month program. Keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is the CCSF paramedic program in October of 2007. Any experience you might have had with either program would also be invaluable to me.
Thank you so much,
Stefan
I live in the Bay Area, more specifically Oakland and I am attempting to become a firefighter. I am currently enrolled in the First Response (CPR & basic first aid) at Chabot college in Hayward. From everyone I have spoken with, including a few SF firefighters, becoming a Paramedic will greatly increase my chances of getting hired. Therefore I have made this my secondary goal. I will complete the First Response course at the end of the year and will need to go to a school for EMT-B. My problem is this: My goal is to attend the CCSF paramedic program which will begin in October of 2007. If I attend a community college for EMT-B, the semester will end in May of 2007. This leaves at most 4 months to obtain the NREMT certification, California registry, all of the other necessary paperwork and gain EMT-B field experience which CCSF requires 3- 6 months of before being accepted. I spoke with a HR representative from AMR and she stated that getting hired on average, takes about a month. So that cuts on the job experience down to 3 months. This isn’t even accounting for job availability which ebbs & flows throughout the year.
My other option is to go to NCTI in Livermore (which is almost an hours drive from me) to drop $1,700 on a 2 month program. Needless to say I would like to not have to spend that much money and I am somewhat worried about “cramming” such important material. But it does give me two months of breathing room to gain job experience.
Ok, so I am really sorry for the long winded e-mail. I know you all have more valuable things to do with your time than answer some strangers questions, but I really do appreciate any advice you might be able to give as to which program to attend. Either NCTI’s two month $1700 program, or Chabot’s $300 5 month program. Keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is the CCSF paramedic program in October of 2007. Any experience you might have had with either program would also be invaluable to me.
Thank you so much,
Stefan
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I actually started NCTI's program while still in the middle of that same class at Chabot...
The good news is that, while I'm not sure it will be the same for you, other than the first class the rest of the NCTI classes were taught at the AlCo AMR headquarters in San Leandro. The other advantage is that you work with their people on their equipment. Their practical final counts as the NREMT skills test, and then after the class final you take the NREMT written.
It does cost some money, but in my estimation it was worth it. -
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playing devil's advocate here...
The class at Chabot is taught by firefighters and is connected to their fire sciences program. It's potentially a better place for networking and learning firefighter culture vs AMR. Also, I thought it was a really good class, and I'm pretty picky about these things. I think I personally would have preferred the class at CCSF, which in its first days seemed a little more academic, but I definitely got what I needed out of the Chabot class. The class at Merritt is also very connected to Oakland fire, but the lead instructor and fellow students all made me cringe.
So, uh, I'd do NCTI if speed is really important, but I'd wager that in the long run Chabot would be as good if not a better option.
Also, at least when I did my EMT class in 2003, all the bay area EMT classes were oversubscribed. Don't expect that you can just show up and get into class at a community college. A lot of people don't get in because there's just not room. I don't know if that has calmed down as we get further from 9/11, but it's something to keep in mind. At Chabot, they *will* boot you if you haven't completed all the other required stuff (First Responder class, CPR cert, vaccinations, etc). -
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Hi Ann,
Yeah I was looking at CCSF's program as well. But the reason that I'm thinking of staying at Chabot is that their EMT program requires Emergency Room time while none of the other programs I've looked at do. I am assuming this is reflective of their curriculum, in the sense that it is a little more thorough.
Thanks alot for your advice! I really do appreciate you taking the time to reply!
Oh BTW, after closer inspection, the CCSF paramedic program begins in January not October, so it gives me time to go to Chabot. I can't wait until it starts!
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Here's my $.02. Please keep in mind that I don't know you from Adam, so I'll throw out some stuff and let you pick what's most applicable. Also bear in mind that I am a newly minted EMT-B so my advice may only be worth $.01. :)
I took the EMT-B course last year and was frequently frustrated because the answer to so many of my questions was "You'll learn that if you become a paramedic." Sensing what my next course of action would probably be after countless such questions, the instructor (and former medic, with more years in the field than I've been alive) who taught the class told me to wait at least a year before going for my paramedic certification. He felt strongly that field experience was far more valuable than rushing through a crash course. As he put it, "would you want someone putting in your IV who did the 'drive-thru' course?"
Ten months into it, I'm glad I heeded his advice. I'm still learning the ropes and don't feel ready to go for that medic patch just yet. You may find the same once you get out into the field. Consider that you could also tell potential employers that you currently have your EMT-B and hope to pursue your EMT-P eventually.
This next piece may NOT apply to you at _all_. This is my disclaimer lest you be offended needlessly. I am only speaking about the individuals in my class. I was in class with several young firefighters who wanted to become EMT's just to get a pay raise. They spent class joking around, didn't do their assigned readings, and generally took a long time to grasp concepts. I think they took the re-test on every single modular exam, and barely passed their _retests_. I spent the last few weeks of class watching them practice their "skills" and praying they wouldn't pass the written. They barely did. Then I prayed I would never get hurt in their district lest they be the ones on shift at the time!
Only you know how much of this goal is about being a paramedic and how much is about getting better money as a firefighter. Only you know what your work ethic is like, how "book smart" you are, and how "action smart" you are. My suggestion is to take the five-month course unless you are a) a quick study, b) financially able to take the $1400 hit you would incur by taking the speed program, and c) SURE that you have to take the October 2007 course and not the next semester's course.
Whatever you choose, best of luck to you! -
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OK, let me say that I have quite a few years under my belt, 25 +, in EMS and Education of EMS. And as a result of that I think I can speak on this topic.
I think that Stark's comments are right on the money (they are worth MORE than the $ .01 price tag). Take it slow Mr. X. What is your hurry? The BEST Paramedics seem to be the ones that learned from the calls, not the books. I will admit that I have a bias against those that are looking at Paramedicine as ONLY the stepping stone to the Fire Service. Paramedicine is a calling. Without getting on the soapbox, PLEASE do EVERYONE a favor. Please take your time, learn your material, practice it in the field, and be READY for Paramedic School. If the Paramedic School is worth its beans, It will be a BALL BREAKER!! I went to Paramedic School after working 6 years, full time in a LARGE EMS system. By the time I had gone to Paramedic School I had run 5000+ calls. Paramedic School was a BALL BREAKER for me as well as the others in class. We started with 35 students and ended with 25. ALL of the students that left were dropped based on EMT-Basic material and knowledge!!! GOT THAT! EMT-Basic stuff, the street smarts, that stuff that you NEED to know BEFORE class.
My recommendation, get AT LEAST a year of experience as an EMT-Basic BEFORE applying to Paramedic School. TRUST ME, the things that you learn in the streets WILL pay off in the classroom and studying. Take your time, and enjoy the world of Medicine.
One last thing, the deep dark secret about EMS education. MANY schools are doing it for the money. The more people that they let in, the more money they make (not earn). Many programs do not have enough "spots" for all the Paramedic studentsto do their internships. They are HOPING that many will fail out. (BTW, they keep your Money). Look for a school that places you in an internship instead of one that makes you find one. In many (not all) programs you have to PAY for your internship.
If you have any other questions feel free to PM me. Good Luck and best wishes. -
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Thank you Nord!!! It's great that this website has given me access to so many people I'd usually never meet. After closer inspection, the CCSF program will start in mid-January (of 2008) and not in September (of 2007). It was their testing and orientation that begins in September. Therefore, I will go with Chabot.
I guess the reason I've felt rushed was that as far as education goes, I've always had to have everything laid out, planned and then executed as quickly as possible. With this material, I am learning (thanks in a large part to everyones replies) that I'll have to re-adjust how I go about my education. I graduated from UCLA a few years ago and pretty much everything I learned there was theoretical. Not really a lot of everyday usefullness. EMT-B and Paramedicine on the other hand is a quite differentt animal which is requiring me to re-asses things. The last thing I would ever want is to be standing over a person who needs my help and have me choke in some way. So again, thanks for your advice! I hope you don't mind but I'll probably need to ask you more stuff in the future. Thanks!
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I would easily bump that advice up to $0.99 oh what the hell, $1.00 flat! But seriously, that was most helpful. Even in my first responder class now, I am surrounded by knuckleheads who don't pay attention and do the bare minimum to pass the class. It's frustrating.
One of my serious concerns with AMR was having to rush through the material. This already had me leaning towards Chabot, but I did (perhaps needlessly) feel an urgency to get my EMT-B and move on. Gaining enough experience before Paramedic is definately a concern as well. The only reason I thought 3-6 Months as an EMT-B would be enough is because that is what the CCSF program recommended. Your input shedded some new light onto that and I am greatly appreciative. I have decided to go with Chabot. I definately feel I need the time to digest the material. So are you going into paramedic? -
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Probably eventually, but maybe not for another year or two. Again, I just want more calls under my belt. Of course, I've been told that I may be waiting a LONG time if I wait until I've seen _everything_ I learned about in EMT-B class (like broken femurs, breech birth, etc.)! I've thought about doing ridealongs with our local professional outfit to get more exposure.
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Update: I waited my year and have now enrolled in the EMT-I class for the spring semester. I thought it would be a good stepping-stone before the hard-core commitment of the -P.
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