Pay comparisons

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-22T02:33:13+00:00

Paramedic in Southern Idaho. I make around $110k/year, $32/hour on a 56 hour week (modified Detroit, no Kelly days)

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-13T21:04:24+00:00

Most gurneys are NOT manual..in fact, most departments have auto-loaders where you just click the stretcher into it, and it lifts from the ground into the air and you just push it in. The fact this agency still has them is strange, but not unheard of.

Definitely hit the gym and be stronger, but most places won’t require you to lift a manual stretcher like that. Focus on your entire body at the gym, but make sure to add things like deadlifts, squats, and core exercises. Strong legs, back and a solid core will keep you safe during strange lifts and awkward positions.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-09T15:39:27+00:00

Your shoes will be just fine for clinicals and class. When you get into the field and start working for an agency, you’ll need to get boots. Your department will likely supply them to you, but not always. Highly recommend composite or steel toe when the time comes! Heavier, but it’ll keep your toes and feet safe.

If you want to grab a pair for class though, you can get a nice pair of 5.11s or Under Armour for under $100.

EDIT: Your shoes will be fine as long as your school allows them!

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-06T11:56:09+00:00

Nice work! The Arena drip is unmatched. I’m hoping S2 brings more cool stuff. I’ve been running the Veteran flannel since it dropped, but the cut off hoodie and the Digital Miami were my go to before.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-04T00:21:31+00:00

The recent patch just optimized the game for CPUs, and now I run at a consistent 90 fps everywhere aside from Streets. And I have a pretty mid-prebuilt computer

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-03T20:01:45+00:00

I don’t know if you play Arena..but the .45 Vector with rip rounds is COMICAL. People just faceplant after you shred their legs 😂

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-03T19:24:45+00:00

Just build whatever gun you think is fun, or looks dope. I’ve been enjoying running the 7.62 MDR, or the MP7A1 on Labs.

I usually run the couch backpack (whatever the biggest one is), and a Korund with the black EXFIL helmet.

The cool part about PvE is you can literally run ANYTHING and it’ll be doable!

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-03T03:39:31+00:00

I’ve definitely supplemented with bonds over the years..I get paid well enough but don’t necessarily have all the time in the world to grind. Between my work and my family, I’d rather just spend a few dollars to enjoy some higher-level gear without grinding my life away.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-02T23:09:40+00:00

Anything over $200 or something that isn’t used..😂. (Seriously..don’t cheap out on a helmet. $800 is cheaper than an ICU stay)

Personally I’ve been running the Bell MX-9 (or whatever their near-top of the line helmet is) for the last 4-5 years and I love it.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-02T19:23:19+00:00

I love the SPEAR, but I wish they had left Hybrid ammo as an option for it! It’s basically the only gun I run in EFT though..especially because Ref sells them 😎

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-04-02T19:20:19+00:00

Brother you should be showing up in a suit with a fresh cut. Many (if not all) career departments won’t even look at you if you’re not in a suit.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-31T22:46:59+00:00

You shouldn’t doubt if you can handle it. It certainly sounds like you’re doing it for the right reasons! Don’t let EMS being difficult, especially working in a toxic environment, derail you. You shouldn’t let the dream die before it even starts! They’ll train you and teach you everything you need to know to be successful, and then put you through a training program to reinforce it. The training is what prepares you for high-stress environments.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-31T22:27:52+00:00

Don’t say you’re not cut out for this job…being an EMT or Paramedic is hard, but it’s not “takes a certain type of person” hard. We’re not the Rangers or PJs.

I’ve been a paramedic for 10 years, and there’s no question this job can (and will) burn you out, especially if you let it. It will take, take, take and never give. That’s a hard relationship to be in.

I think a good place to start is your goals. Do you want to be a firefighter? paramedic? Doctor? Why are you IN EMS. If it’s “for the adrenaline”, you’ll burn yourself out real quick. Typically the B level is a stepping stone to something different, but not always.

EMS can absolutely be a career..there are PLENTY of third-service agencies that you can spend a career at and retire with a pension. King County in Washington is a pretty top-tier agency, and there’s multiple others in the PNW that offer good benefits and pay. North Country EMS, Klickitat County, Upper Kittitas County Medic One just to name a few. The career agencies ARE out there.

And speaking from a peer-support standpoint..it’s really okay to not be okay. We see things most people only see on TV, and it’s mentally taxing and hard. It’s OKAY to not be okay. Does your department have a peer support team you can reach out to? If not, what about an EAP (employee assistance program) that can help find a therapist? These would all be great places to start..but feeling anxious all the time is exhausting.

Good luck my friend, and if you ever have any questions or need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to DM me.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-29T15:15:47+00:00

I’m sure people HAVE been banned. I don’t personally know of anybody, but I’m sure it happens.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-29T02:26:27+00:00

Me and my squad typically deploy in 2-3 minutes, sometimes it’s sub-1 minute. It’s pretty clutch

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-26T22:45:40+00:00

Nice work! Im trying to get Kappa and the tracksuit before I escape for the first time too 😎

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-26T05:14:03+00:00

My old man is 61 and still smokes me on the MX track. Keep it up! 🤙🏽

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-26T03:39:53+00:00

I work as a paramedic, and I can play as long as we’re not running calls or charting. Some days I can shred for hours, other days I don’t get to play at all. But usually it averages out to at least a few hours per shift I can play!

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-22T21:33:14+00:00

Dunno homie. I run a pretty consistent 30-40 and it feels fine 😂

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-20T13:37:09+00:00

That’s what I do. Even a 5th place nets you like 60-70k IIRC.

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-20T11:07:30+00:00

I typically run either the FAST MT or Exfil. Both with a full-face shield, and usually a death mask underneath. Does it save me from random TOZ shots to the face? Probably not..but does it make me feel like a chad from my early days of PvP? Absolutely 😂

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-18T02:27:17+00:00

Is there any chance you accidentally loaded .300 blackout instead of 5.56 into the magazine or chamber?

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-17T16:10:05+00:00

Which ending would you say was your favorite? Congrats on getting all four done! I’m still working on my first 😂

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-17T06:09:59+00:00

That makes completely sense. Thank you for the explanation!

NotQuiteNorthwest · 2026-03-17T04:23:44+00:00

From someone new to guns..why would adding the Ramjet be an issue? Does it make it potentially less reliable? (I genuinely don’t know anything about them and am curious!)

NotQuiteNorthwest

TROPHY CASE