LoneRider

Thanks for the gouge. Do you know if military training centers (I believe most Army medical units carry Red Cross Certifications but I've got a training officer over there I'm good friends with I can ask) are considered authorized training centers. How long are refreshers to maintain CPR courses usually? One day, two?

Well I found two very good programs in my AO (Orlando, FL): Valencia Community College and Seminole Community College. Now while I'm serving my active duty time I intend to reaccquire my CPR certificate (I think the US Army uses Red Cross, just like Navy SAR swimmers do for CPR). What's the periodicity of a CPR card, one year before I must be recertified by competent authority? Who qualifies as competent authority in that instance?

I figure I will finish EMT-B then move onto EMT-Paramedic straight away. Does anyone know how tolerant or understanding most EMT-B or Paramedic programs are towards military reservists? I'm gonna speak to the admissions guys for the ones I'm interested in to find out specifics, but I'd figure I'd ask on a general basis about how tolerant EMT training programs can be towards guys in military reserves. I also intend to attain my FF1 and FF2 after attaining my EMT-Paramedic certification before I job search.

Yes. I just followed them recently, thanks. Thanks to jetlag and a little sleep deprivation together with the great logistical moving machine that is military personnel transportation I'd almost totally forgotten the links before I clicked on them this morning.

Thanks Dustdevil and all others who have replied to this post. I'm actually going to serve three more years active duty (this time in the Army with the Corps of Engineers) before I transfer to Florida's Army National Guard as either an Engineer Officer or put myself through Selection. The reason I chose to do three years active in the Army instead of the Navy was this last tour ISO an Army battalion. I had a tremendous respect for the professionalism and camaraderie that the all ranks in my unit showed and I was able to understand their methodology, culture, and language within two weeks and functioned well as a member of that team. I figure I'll do three more years active duty in addition to the five in the Navy I already have to remove IRR time and then transfer to the Guard. How understanding are EMT/EMS programs or fire departments towards military reservists? I attended the US Navy Surface Rescue Swimmer School in 2008 and Army CLS as part of pre-deployment as an attached member to an Army Battalion. On the firefighting end I served as a repair locker officer for two years on a Navy surface ship so I've got a little practical knowledge on firefighting (admittedly from drills) and I accept that firefighting like military service is a constant learning process. According to a wise old Master Chief: "The day you quit learning is the day you die." That's why I chose my degree to be in English. The professors in the Humanities department where I studied were some of the best people I learned from (minus my NCOs and my family) in years. Do community college training programs do as you stated? And will prior training in military trauma management (I paid a lot of attention and keep my CLS certificate current with the help of our Battalion surgeon and Medical NCOIC) help? Forgive the dumb questions but what is CAAHEP and CoAEMSP?

DustDevil. Reconnaissance of Orlando and Florida EMS has revealed that data and I am well aware of it. I'm really not bothered by the prospect of having to be a fireman to have a decent EMS job and am well aware fire departments have decent benefits and retirements and pay. I became interested in EMS after attending Surface Rescue Swimmer School in the Navy last year. The idea of saving people's lives as a firefighter/paramedic appeals to me. Of all the Navy and recently Army schools (I'm a Navy IA) I attended SAR and CLS training were the most rewarding.

I'm probably gonna go the community college training route for the paramedic training. I realize like any professional that training never stops and that there are always ways to make one better at one's job. Right now though I'm more curious about finding the right training program (probably training at either Seminole or Valencia Community College for my EMT-B/EMT-P courses) in order to become a practicing paramedic. VentMedic, yes I intend to train and operate in the state of Florida.

No my degree did not include anything medically based. I'm willing to tackle a second degree in any case and I am considering the Orlando or Daytona Beach areas of Florida for training and working.

No I'm not a Corpsman. Already having a degree can I simply focus on the EMT/Paramedic courses?

Sorry to be a pain but can you elaborate the years of experience bit? I gather that means I will do some time as an EMT-B/first responder before I start Paramedic school?

As some already know I intend to go into the EMS community as a paramedic after my stint with the Navy expires later this year. I already have a bachelor's degree in English and I figured that depending on the program I go into (I'm gonna go the community college route) I can focus almost entirely on the EMT and Paramedic courses. I was wondering how long training takes normally. Two years? Three? Five years?

I think that is the smartest option, going EMT>medic>fire. With the G.I. Bill I'll be able to at least partially pay through the pipeline. I'll hazard a guess that you're a member of the USMC with you're last post.

Central Florida Fire Academy sounds like a good program and in the area I want to train and work in too. Question? After I get my EMT-B certification do I go to FF I and II or the Paramedic course next?

Thanks cpat1723, Daytona State College (I still remember when it was DBCC) sounds like another great program. Does anyone know anything about Valencia Community College's EMT program?

Sorry AK, I for some reason thought you, not Dustdevil had said that. A consequence of being up late working and dashing off a quick reply. Anyway, thanks for the help. Regards, LoneRider

AKMEDIC, of course I know about OPSEC, sailor that I am. And of course I know the sandbox, for a sandbox sailor I am right now. cpat1723, I'll think about it. I'll keep an ear to the ground. Also, what's this I hear about CPR being a pre-requisite for EMT-B training? I have a Red Cross card but it's expired. I'll ask our medics if I can get my CPR qualification through them... Regards, LoneRider

Yes, I plan to live and work in the Orlando area. I've also considered the Daytona Beach area as well. Thanks for the tip on the medic mills, by the way, would you know of any others I should avoid? Also on another note your label had me under the impression you worked in Alaska. What part of Orlando do you work in and for which service?

I'm currently active duty Navy and I'm considering going into EMS in Florida if I get out of the Navy a year or so from now. I'm currently in Iraq as an Individual Augmentee (i.e. a sailor providing help to an Army battalion in some support capacity). I'm curious about what EMT-B/Paramedic programs are available in the Orlando area. I've looked up Seminole Community College, Valencia Community College and the Orlando Medical Institute as my top three so far. Does anyone have any recommendations as to which program to choose. The only medical training I have so far is basic Combat Life Saver (first aid and trauma management), so I know I'd need to start at EMT-B and achieve my Firefighting certificate in order to practice in the state of Florida. I already have a college degree, so I can focus exclusively on the paramedic program. Exactly which certs would I need other than EMT-B, FF1 and FF2, and EMT-Paramedic/ALS to pratice in the state of Florida? Thank you, LoneRider

Greetings, I'm considering becoming an EMT-Paramedic after my hitch with the Navy expires (I already have a college degree, so I can focus exclusively on the EMT program). I'm curious about what Orlando Area providers exist? I personally wouldn't mind working with an FD as well (I've got almost two years working with damage control onboard my last ship). Currently I'm on an Individual Augmentee assignment here in Iraq (basically a sailor supporting an Army battalion) and I've gotten CLS (Combat Life Saver) qualified. Basically it states I can do basic combat life saving, up to inserting an IV into someone and I'm doing some sustainment training with my unit's medics and our medical officer. I also saved the text book for that CLS course and am studying it. Also, how good are most area providers at supporting National Guard/Reservists? I'm definitely converting to the Army National Guard after my Navy hitch expires, to work in Florida. Regards, LoneRider