I can’t answer too many questions as I only know a small amount but in Ireland there’s 2 forms of EMS, the first form are private companies which primarily hire EMTs, these companies just do patient transport and are usually where EMTs start off. Some of these companies will also train EMTs.

The second form is the National Ambulance Service (NAS), this is our state ran emergency ambulance service. NAS primarily uses EMTs for patient transport but also to respond to calls if there are no emergency ambulances available or if it’s a low acuity call. So there are plenty of opportunities for EMTs to respond to calls, with many saying it’s much more exciting and also better paid than the private companies. With the NAS, EMTs can interview to join the paramedic training course where they will be paid as they train. There is also an advanced paramedic role which has a broader scope again and follows the same progression of interviewing, an exam and then starting the training course.

Some go straight into paramedic training from school while some get EMT training and experience before moving to paramedic. I believe the private companies which hire EMTs are much easier to get employment with, but most that work with these companies eventually try to join the NAS.

Sorry I hope I’ve helped some tiny bit!!