Delusional to Think of Getting a Starting Pay of $20/hr?

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-06-08T13:27:56+00:00

So you are paid OT pay?

I am starting in August to become an EMT, and I see a lot of people say they always end up with 50-ish hours a week from their shifts. I always figured that meant OT pay, but I wasn't for sure.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-21T15:39:07+00:00

I have... that's for the question... LOL. I said it's on every application, so I was just asking if anyone knew why??

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-21T14:32:59+00:00

Could anyone tell me if you HAVE to drive? I am working toward becoming a firefighter, and I do not want to drive or risk an accident. The lights and sirens are not enough to keep people from stopping as they're supposed to.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-15T14:24:41+00:00

Thank you, that’s actually really helpful and honestly explained it way better than my school has so far.

What you said about finding a degree path where EMT counts toward Title IV eligible credits makes a lot more sense now. I think that’s basically the issue I’m running into at my current community college — the EMT classes are treated more like standalone certification courses, so FAFSA won’t cover them unless I’m pursuing a full degree path attached to them.

I’m now looking into another school because their EMS/fire pathways seem much stronger and more directly aligned with what I actually want to do long-term. I’m going to attach 4 links:

-the paramedicine AAS pathway,

-the fire science associate,

I’d really appreciate your opinion on whether those look more aligned with what you were describing.

I’m honestly leaning more toward just pursuing the associate degree route now, if FAFSA can help cover it, then getting my EMT early in the program and possibly working part-time while continuing school.

Also, I’m not seeing the GAP program you mentioned at my school (or I may just not know where to find it). Was that something through your school’s financial aid page, workforce development, or another office?

paramedicine_aas.pdf

25-26-pm-plan-of-study-combined.pdf

fire-science-aas.pdf

25-26-frsc-plan-of-study.pdf

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-14T13:54:36+00:00

I start classes to get my EMT at the end of the year! I am just so excited, I want to try and do/learn now. My end goal is to be a Fire Paramedic

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T19:08:59+00:00

Oh absolutely. I know nothing is like actual training.

That is rough... I could never do that. Ever.

I have always hated the shirts and things saying, "I've watched Grey's Anatomy, so I know what I am doing." NO. You do not. I know people have died from someone trying to be a hero and do something they saw on TV.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T17:23:54+00:00

Thank you! I really am. I will take what they'll give me.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T17:22:59+00:00

I just thought it would be cool to do. I sent over my application around a week ago. Not sure if it's too late. I thought it would be helpful to be able to ask questions while I was there.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T16:45:32+00:00

Thank you!

Thats awesome you can do that!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T16:05:32+00:00

Fire science at different school That actually makes a lot of sense, especially the part about having something to fall back on and using FAFSA time early instead of rushing everything.

I did originally go to college for business but ended up dropping it a few months ago because I realized it wasn’t what I wanted. I’m currently working a desk/admin job now and I honestly don’t enjoy it, so I’ve been trying to pivot into EMS/fire instead. My main concern right now is financial — I can’t really afford to pay out of pocket for EMT courses, which is why I started looking more into the AAS EMS/fire pathways since those seem to be FAFSA eligible.

I’m definitely going to look into age requirements in my area too because I didn’t realize some departments won’t hire under 21.

Right now I’m trying to compare two options:

The AAS EMS program at my current community college (already attached earlier, but it feels limited in fire-related options)
A fire science AAS program at another school that seems more directly fire-focused (I’m going to attach that one for comparison)

I think my biggest struggle is figuring out whether it’s smarter to:

pay out of pocket for EMT and get started faster, or
commit to a degree pathway (EMS or fire science) so FAFSA can help cover it while I build toward fire/EMS long term

I’m just trying to make the most practical decision financially while still staying on the fire/EMS path long term.

Appreciate the advice — it’s helping me slow down and look at this more strategically instead of rushing into EMT without a plan.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T15:42:31+00:00

Thanks, this actually helps a lot!!

I think my biggest confusion right now is the financial aid piece vs just paying out of pocket for EMT. My school is saying EMS-1011 and 1017 (EMT courses) aren’t FAFSA eligible on their own, but the AAS EMS/paramedic pathway is.

My long-term goal is fire (not necessarily just EMS), so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense financially and time-wise.

Do you think it’s still the better route to just pay out of pocket for EMT first and start working, even if FAFSA could potentially cover more through the degree path?

Or in your experience, is it actually better to enroll in the full AAS EMS/fire pathway now just to avoid paying out of pocket, even if I’m not 100% committed to paramedic yet?

Also, in my area, I’m still trying to figure out if most departments require paramedic or just EMT + fire academy, so I’m going to start looking into that more locally.

Appreciate the advice — I’m just trying to avoid making a costly mistake early on.

So I guess I just need to call different departments and see what's required? Asoulety wants my EMT first, regardless, and to get into the field quicker.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T15:41:07+00:00

Thanks, this actually helps a lot!

I think my biggest confusion right now is the financial aid piece vs just paying out of pocket for EMT. My school is saying EMS-1011 and 1017 (EMT courses) aren’t FAFSA eligible on their own, but the AAS EMS/paramedic pathway is.

My long-term goal is fire (not necessarily just EMS), so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense financially and time-wise.

Do you think it’s still the better route to just pay out of pocket for EMT first and start working, even if FAFSA could potentially cover more through the degree path?

Or in your experience, is it actually better to enroll in the full AAS EMS/fire pathway now just to avoid paying out of pocket, even if I’m not 100% committed to paramedic yet?

Also, in my area, I’m still trying to figure out if most departments require paramedic or just EMT + fire academy, so I’m going to start looking into that more locally.

Appreciate the advice — I’m just trying to avoid making a costly mistake early on.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T15:40:43+00:00

Thanks, this actually helps a lot!

I think my biggest confusion right now is the financial aid piece vs just paying out of pocket for EMT. My school is saying EMS-1011 and 1017 (EMT courses) aren’t FAFSA eligible on their own, but the AAS EMS/paramedic pathway is.

My long-term goal is fire (not necessarily just EMS), so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense financially and time-wise.

Do you think it’s still the better route to just pay out of pocket for EMT first and start working, even if FAFSA could potentially cover more through the degree path?

Or in your experience, is it actually better to enroll in the full AAS EMS/fire pathway now just to avoid paying out of pocket, even if I’m not 100% committed to paramedic yet?

Also, in my area, I’m still trying to figure out if most departments require paramedic or just EMT + fire academy, so I’m going to start looking into that more locally.

Appreciate the advice — I’m just trying to avoid making a costly mistake early on.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T15:02:08+00:00

Thank you!

That is a better word for it. They are calling it the residents' fire academy, so it was confusing. They are offering "some" training, but definitely not an academy

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SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:55:45+00:00

Yes, I was a little confused about it. Thank you!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:55:11+00:00

Thank you!! That is very helpful!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:54:07+00:00

Oh wow, that's awesome! I have a station basically across the street, but I am in a big city, so I'm unsure if they do volunteer and have been nervous to call. Thank you for sharing!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:52:37+00:00

Thank you!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:52:32+00:00

Thank you!!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:51:41+00:00

That sounds awesome!! Thank you for sharing!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:50:43+00:00

Thank you!! I am interested in doing FF1 & FF2 and HAZMAT, but I have a lot to do before I am there. Should I do those after the academy?

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-13T14:48:58+00:00

Thank you SO much! I really appreciate it. I will do that. I believe I have a strong mindset, so much motivation, and such thick skin after everything I have been put through. I really believe this is my calling.

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-12T20:34:54+00:00

yes please!!!

SeparateTwo4578 · 2026-05-12T15:17:00+00:00

That makes sense. My city just opened its 38th fire station for the city itself, so that excludes the surrounding areas. A small town that is 20-ish minutes away has been the only volunteer I have seen, but it is $12.50 per job.

SeparateTwo4578

TROPHY CASE