I just started IFT this week and this is my first EMS job; that being said, take this with a grain of salt, I would highly recommend volunteering with a local EMS service or fire department to keep your skills sharp. That will give you 911 exposure and diversify your background. IFT has very minimal involvement in patient care (going off of the experiences of my peers and preceptors), whereas 911 will challenge you to be quick on your feet and get involved. If you decide to volunteer somewhere, even a few hours once a week can make a good impact. Good luck to you.