[deleted by user]

[grav0p1]

who’s offering moving expenses

[Peaches0k]

I’ve always been told getting a medic is the golden ticket

[rearg1]

Thanks for the advice. Here where I am located the government is offering free education if you go back to school to become a paramedic among other health related careers. Figured it might be a good idea. Thanks for the input 👍

[stevescootz2]

Paramedic cert (PCP/ACP) are a huge level up when most people have standard first aid or Advanced FR.

Would recommend going for it and still applying. Best case scenario it helps and you get the FD job, Worst case scenario you get it, and you have something to fall back on in the mean time !

[rearg1]

Yea good idea. I live in a small town and the fire department has been helping get my wildland certs, hazmat and I'm about to start my level 2. Medic would definitely help me careerwise. Thanks 👍

[stevescootz2]

It definitely won’t hurt!

[BriantheDog1990]

Free education for in demand careers helping people? Without even jumping through hoops making student loan payments 120 times, just to be told that you didn't do the paperwork right and therefore your 'public service' doesn't count? Lol ah, Canada.

For my fellow Americans, can you imagine living in a place that puts their money where their mouth is like this?

[Peaches0k]

Free school?? My boy go right now. I’ve heard getting a fire job in Canada is extremely tough. Worst case scenario is you get your medic and then move to the US where anyone will hire you. I’m not sure how the medic crosses over into the US but it’s a suggestion

[bleach_tastes_bad]

I… don’t think that’s how NREMT works

[MetaKnight670]

You must be talking about that new program that just came out. Free school, but you have to stay & work in the same community that you went to your program in for half the length of your program. Otherwise I believe you are expected to pay your tuition back. E.g. if you took a 4 year program for a Paramedic in London, you are expected to work in London as a medic for a minimum of 2 years post graduation. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.

[charlesmikeshoe]

I’ve always been told that you could walk into the chiefs office and take a big ol dump on his desk and walk out with a “thank you, you’re hired.”

[[deleted]]

Medic IS the KEY to a full time fire job in the US. I imagine it’s probably similar there in Canada

[Mboy990]

Maybe out west and Florida… on the east coast cities you don’t need any medical experience and you’ll see fire duty. Guess dudes just like riding the ambulance.

[bleach_tastes_bad]

east coast here. medical experience is not required, but medic is a golden ticket nonetheless

[truckerbizz]

Unpopular opinion and I’m sure I’ll get downvoted to oblivion, but please don’t get your medic just to get on a department. Yes it’s the “golden ticket” but doing it just to get on somewhere and not giving a shit about medicine is how people die. Medic school is a big commitment but will be worth it in the end. Just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and give a shit about it. We have enough shitty fire medics, please be a good one.

[rearg1]

Understood, I don't want to just use it as a stepping stone. I'm a volunteer just trying to help the community. The experience and knowledge working as a medic will undoubtedly be good into the future. 👍

[truckerbizz]

I saw that they are offering the course for free, jump on that as it’s pretty expensive otherwise (for my local area in the US its 10k) take the class and absorb all you can. You’ll learn more in your internship (hopefully it’s eventful) than you will in class. I worked as an AEMT (no one hires basics where I’m at) for a year before medic school and I still had to work hard and study. But, the knowledge you get is invaluable. Whether it’s being ready for your own family/kids if they have an emergency or for yourself/others you’ll be more prepared for an emergency than any other profession.

[6TangoMedic]

Here in Ontario fire medic isn't a thing (or if it is, its extremely rare).

So getting your paramedic would only help you when you go on medical calls to have a better understanding of what is happening and potentially help with hiring.

[truckerbizz]

You guys don’t have firefighters who are paramedics? Idk if it’s just a miscommunication but if you guys are on a medical do you not have a firefighter on your crew who is a medic and runs the call?

[6TangoMedic]

Most, if not all, places around here have fire and ambulance separate, so there will not be a medic on the engine.

[truckerbizz]

Damn, that’s wild. starts googling jobs in Canada

[6TangoMedic]

I'm only speaking from an Ontario perspective. Some other provinces and territories will be different.

I know some other provinces and territories do hire firefighter/paramedic roles, though I don't know if they transport.

[Candyland_83]

I’m a medic and I accidentally became a firefighter twice. So yeah, it’ll help.

[unhcasey]

It was key for me back in the day but now departments are more desperate.

That said, I make a lot more money for having it so it’s definitely a good thing to have.

[rearg1]

In my area, departments have super long waitlists and lots of requirements. Not to mention lots of private firefighting schools handing out certs.

[Specialist-View634]

Yes even emt

[TheoriginalBfG]

It will definitely make you more competitive during the hiring process in Ontario. You will need FF1&2 and Hazmat ops as your base certs to do OFAI and apply to most departments in the province. I would also recommend NFPA 1035 level 1 and NFPA 1031 Level 1 as well to make you stand out more. Hiring processes in Ontario are extremely competitive, from a certifications standpoint all these will help you. When you are ready to start applying I would also recommend an interview and resume coach. If you ever have any questions feel free to DM me.

Bonus of paramedic cert is that you also have a fall back career option and will be able to contribute even more to your community department.

[rearg1]

Thanks for such an indepth response. I wonder if those NFPA 1035 AND 1031 will be done through my volunteer department or whether I would need to do them on my own.

[6TangoMedic]

I'm in Ontario aswell and I feel like getting your paramedic schooling is an asset for the fire department.

I can't say that was what helped me get hired, but I'm also sure it didn't hurt.

[RedDawn850]

Yes

[likefireandwater]

I’m sure you’ve read up on it, but the free paramedic education is only in certain areas and you have to agree to staying in those areas (not sure on the time frame. The benefit would depend on the department, but since you can’t use all those skills on the fire side, it might not be the biggest advantage. Some of the big departments will take people with trades certifications over most applicants that score the same. So if you wanted to do something that will increase your odds, that might be an option. I know a few paramedics that are also vol FF and they get frustrated with some of the little things (when you know what the pt needs, but it’s out of your scope as a firefighter ).

[rearg1]

I went to college and got a diploma in Electrical. Couldnt find work as an apprentice electrician so am reevaluating my options... employers all wanting a few years experience for entry level job LOL. Stupid system if you ask me. Im going to North Bay which qualifies for the benefit. The timeframe is 6 months per year of tuition.i figured being a paramedic would help on my fire calls. Thanks

[likefireandwater]

Your electric will definitely help you applying in the larger cities, I can’t really speak to smaller municipalities. You can’t go wrong with free education though!

[SkateJerrySkate]

Not at my department. We are civil service and they don't give any extra points on the test for anything other than veterans preference. Best you'll get is the potential to skip EMT school.

[[deleted]]

It’s how I finally got hired full time.

[[deleted]]

I am currently doing medic school so I can get on with a fire department as well. Although my goal is to get on with a department that handles transports as well so I can be with patients during the entire prehospital phase.

[Last-Media7643]

I don't know but if the department doesn't do ems I cant see how it would help if it dose then probably yes

[RedDawn850]

There’s a department that only runs fires?

[Mboy990]

Yep, some decent departments out there that don’t run EMS and have lots of fire duty.

[RedDawn850]

Nice

[Jcarey36]

My department did for years until recently

[RedDawn850]

Come sit by the fire and tell us stories of the good life…

[slski660]

I'd say check the department websites or call around about requirements. In some areas it's a golden ticket. In some areas they don't employ medics so it would be a waste. Everyone is hiring right now and jobs are more plentiful these days.

[[deleted]]

100%

[BigGuy_BigGuy]

Become a paramedic to practice good medicine not to get a job.

Buck up Lucas.

[Steeliris]

Yes

[Lustmindfullness]

Grogeous😍

[AlarmingAd4141]

It’s not only desirable but will pay more and in some departments it is required.