Caduceus

Restocked! On my person: -1 pair latex gloves (I obviously want a latex allergy) -1 large trauma pad -2 bandaids (wheeee) -1 pocket knife for amputations! (kidding!)

5.11 pants are really nice. . .I nabbed a few pairs at an army surplus store a year ago for $2 a pop. STEAL! They're really warm and I just wear them whenever it's cold out. . .

It'd definitely be hard to get hired without a solid resume. . .I know a firefighter who was in the Air Force, is an EMT, has 5+ years of experience as a firefighter/EMT, and has been submitting his application for three years and still has yet to land a job in my department. All I can say is good luck and follow the advice that others have already given ya.

Let's do this in order. That's awesome you sound like an older me O.o Thank you for taking the time to write such a lengthy reply. Question 1: A lot. I participate in a club in my town (okay, there's only four of us, but it's a town of 400! It's all I could recruit!), I work at a library as a shelver and groundskeeper of sorts, where there's a lot of patron/worker interaction. I go to a bunch of football games when they go on, too. I actually don't hang out with other homeschool groups cause our town is so small. Not a lot of folks homeschool here. Question 2: I understand. My mom just says a bunch of stuff and her whole experience was so negative that she dropped out and didn't end up an RN even. That's left a really negative imprint on me, I guess. But I will keep an open mind and still look at it as an option. Question 3: I will be 18 (my birthday's in March) when I get my diploma/ AA and I am graduating from a public high school. I would like to work part time at a department and get another two years of college after I graduate high school. Especially in the field of firefighting, the more schooling I get the better. Wow. That's a lot of experience in only ten or eleven years. Amazing, really. And I understand where you're coming from. There're no cadet or youth programs for wannabe firefighters/EMTs here so this ride along thing is a one shot deal. It's a good idea to wait, I know. But if I don't get experience early, when? I have to start somewhere, and if not there, where do you suggest? Believe me, I know I'll regret doing a lot of things at my age when I'm older. "Don't grow up to fast." I tell myself that all the time. I guess I am just not that good a listener. Mobey does have a good point--you all do. I'm kind of stuck between waiting and going now. Thank you, a lot. And I don't mean that sarcastically. I'm just really confused at the mo. @Scuba I didn't even know they had PMs on the City. -_-" But I will. By the way: I drew something for everyone who has helped me out here thus far. It's meant to be funny but with my lack of experience here's hoping it isn't offensive. . .The characters in it are EMTs but I think that a lot of you can relate; I know the radio transmission is off, but I had to simplify it so that it would fit in a comic. http://leastrandomnumber.com/emt-comic/ You may have to click to see a larger version.

@Island I looked into nursing for a time, and to be honest, it is just not for me. My mom went into nursing school and, to be blunt, people treated her like shit. I can't say anything about other nurses out there, but I know nursing is definitely not a road I want to follow, but it's another option and I thank you for sharing. I know that EMTs regrettably don't get paid that much, so I should look into other jobs as well, especially with the competitiveness of hiring into a department. And I definitely will not get downhearted if I get told no about anything. There's still so much I can do. Oh, and congrats on retirement! Whenever you get to it I really thank you for having such a positive attitude towards me. @Cap Ah well. Wow! That's a lot! thanks so much! Online stuff is really useful as this is my last year of homeschooling (secular, mind you. I'm an atheist.) and free is the key. I'll do all of them I can reasonably do at once and let you know the results. @Mike I'm going to graduate high school with my high school diploma and my AA, which is two years of college experience. Would this change the program for me much? Honestly don't think it would, I'd just get in earlier unless there was an age minimum.

I totally understand where you guys are coming from. I have seen people die but I know that what I have seen is nothing compared to what a lot of EMTs have seen. I just got back from another first aid class on top of the training I already have. As a homeschooled kid (until next year) opportunities both raise their heads and shy away from me depending on the way I can access them. It sounds like the library I work at is offering some CPR classes I may be able to volunteer in helping with. I've spoken with the local EMTs in my town (but our station is unmanned) and they are all willing to help me, whether to get a simple ride along or for career advice. I'm not trying to sound ignorant, arrogant, or rude in saying I really really want to do a ride along. I know that there are some things I shouldn't see at my age. And if the management at my local department agrees, then I can wait another year or two. Again I thank you all for the advice and I look forward to milking more out of you in the future! (Not that I need to, you're all so eager. Nice change)

@ERDoc And I will not be one of the ones making you go bald. @ToHell I'd rather not put my location on here, even if it would help me. I am a fifteen year old girl, after all, and I have a little brother to protect. Enough creeps have tried to rob us in the past two months I don't want some guest user to say, "Hey, I live there." And decide to do something worse than kill me! I trust all of you. Just not the anonymous. No offense intended there. @ParamedicMike Oh! I'm sorry. Will not make that mistake again. Thanks. How many years of schooling does it take to be a PA? And can you do it while being a paramedic?

@ Mike Yes. . .I understand. I will call and if not I'll wait a few months until I'm sixteen. Wow. I didn't even think about the insurance issues. There's a lot I didn't consider. . . Ah I understand that as well. I'll talk to the guys at football games a couple more times before I go. Even if I can't ride I can always volunteer at an open house.

Ha. Awesome. It's a good thing that you're an ER doc and can patch yourself up. that's good to hear. On many forums and in real life I get put down for my gender. . . So you are an ER doc. What do you think of physician's assistants? Was also considering this career. EDIT: @ scubanurse Well awesome! Good work!

Ah. I'll bring something like that then, but I may see one of the fireman here soon anyway. I talk to whatever crew is at the home football game in my town when I do, and I've gotten a pretty good picture of our department. They are all good guys. And originally I had left it as male to avoid bias against female users. . .but at this point it's useless isn't it?

No offense taken. I totally understand where you're coming from but I've talked to several of the fireman in the department and they all sounded fine about it. Also I have seen people die, suddenly and terribly. . .but I know where you are coming from so I do appreciate that you would think of my psychological well-being when discussing this. And thank you both for the advice. I really want to be a firefighter/EMT and sometimes I get very enthusiastic in discussions about it ^_^" So I do have to be careful and hold myself back a little. I've heard some people bring desserts. Would this be appropriate?

So I'm a fifteen year old wanting to do a ride along with the fire department in a nearby city. How should I call and arrange one, and how should I act during the ride along? I do know first aid/CPR (though I know I won't use them) but I want to let them know this in a way that doesn't sound like I am bragging. I don't want to be a know it all, basically, I just need some insight on how this all-male department will expect a fifteen year old girl to act on a ride along. Thanks a lot for your help! Cad

Sometimes private EMS companies will transport dead/sick prisoners, but you rarely see that in state EMS. . .

On my person: pocket knife two trauma pads A couple band aids. . . Not much. -_-" I don't drive so I don't have a jump kit or anything. . .

Thanks a bunch!

Hi I'm a first responder and aspiring EMT/firefighter. Really excited to be here and hoping for some good advice from those with more experience!