RseCty

Thanks man, for everything. Even the stuff that was tough to hear.

Thank you Paramedicmike. I became defensive because I believed I was unjustly being judged. I've worked very hard to stay out of trouble and better myself over the years, and I took offense to it being questioned. I hope you understand. For a second it seemed like you were negating my hard work. Since you put it the way you did though, I understand why you would question it. Not everyone is honest with others or even themselves, and not knowing me, there isn't much reason for you to take what I say at face value given your experiences. My attitude about the accident changed as I took in what you said. It's better that I be honest. By the way, I got the job. I'll be starting April. Due to being as old as it is, the MIP did not affect insurance rates. My accident and traffic ticket are another story, but it doesn't appear that it will make insuring me unaffordable. I consider myself lucky, and I will make the most of the opportunity given to me. One final thing, if you don't mind me asking. The RN in charge of EMTs told me that I'll be on a 90 day probation period. She said this is because some new EMTs can't handle the scene of major traumatic accidents and decide that the job isn't for them. And she's got a point, I really have NO idea how i'll react to such a situation. I've never been in such a situation. So my questions are 1. Do you have any advice on how I can deal with it when the time comes and 2. If I do have a less than favorable reaction and I decide to stick with EMS anyway, will dealing with such incidents get easier?

I wouldn't call it love. One asked me rhetorically if I would want someone like me operating an ambulance, leading me to believe that he, and likely the other guy, think that I don't belong in this profession. I'm probably projecting, but I think they're disgusted that a criminal like me would even consider it. I would disagree. Maybe I'm biased because of my situation, or maybe I'm just more understanding and forgiving. I would not have dropped a grand out of my own pocket on an EMT class and spent all of this time and energy jumping through all the hoops of certification and job seeking if I did not truly want to help people and give back to my community through direct service, and I wouldn't have done it if I didn't believe I was capable of doing so safely, responsibly, and with integrity. I just hope that I am awarded the opportunity.

Thank you! I'll find out tomorrow or the next day. I'll be sure to let you all know. They seem to be interested in hiring me. I made a good impression in the interview, and we talked about my MIP. HR is also aware of my driving record. I told them that the accident was my fault, and is listed as no fault. At the time I wasn't sure what that meant. At this point, the concern is insurability. If I can be insured at a reasonable cost, I may just be launching my career in EMS very soon. Fingers crossed. And by the way, is your picture from a Soundgarden video? Black Hole Sun?

Well this cop obviously could be bothered with it. I don't know why he made the decision to charge me, but that's not my call. He certainly wasn't in the wrong. I was in fact a minor in possession. So I took responsibility and dealt with the consequences the best way I could. And I was done with it. Afterward I gave serious thought into the consequences of drinking and made a decision to change my behavior.

Triemal and Ruffmeister, thank you for your replies. It's good to know that someone is willing to say something helpful. Other posters were helpful when they stayed on the topic of my insurability. But overall, they just seemed unpleasant and judgmental. It is entirely possible to deliver truths without being rude. Someone should inform them. If my driving record prevents me from becoming employed, which it sounds like it may, I'll do something else for awhile. Maybe go back to school and nail down some prerequisites or study something else. And no more tickets. It's funny, because I never speed. I'm perfectly content with sitting behind a slow driver. Of course, if I have a critical patient, I'll go around them.

I'm well aware that drinking and EMS do not mix. My drinking today is very moderate and occasional. Moderate meaning a glass of wine or a beer with dinner (German imports, mmmm). If I do work in EMS, I probably won't even do that. No need to assume that I was improper toward the officer. Are you a police officer too? Police can be bothered with such things. I was never impolite and I complied. Anyway fellas, thanks for the input. I only got heated when I felt I was unjustly being judged. I guess the difference between us is that I got caught. I suppose a burglar who has never been caught can comment on the moral character and integrity of one who has. Or something.

My reading comprehension is just fine. You said "You have a lot of work to do." Obviously you were implying something about my moral character. Which is unfounded based on my conviction and the time that has passed since the incident, You denied that I have shown change when obviously I have. Not only that, but I have serious doubts that everyone posting on this thread refrained from any and all alcohol use entirely before they were 21. You can, and probably will tell me that you have, but only you know the answer to that.

I don't think you're wrong. Not about insurability. You confirmed what I suspected. I'm just crossing my fingers now. And yes, it was my fault. But I was under the impression that the fact that it was no fault would somehow make a difference. You're right. Better to admit the details of the incident than for the insurance company to find out another way. Basically, like I said, I gave the details to the employer, said this is what happened, this is what it's listed as (no fault). I left it up to them. The hiring manager told me that an MIP was not an issue, only potentially with insurance. She doesn't seem to think that it calls my integrity and moral character into question. And what she thinks is what matters. So should I be prepared to hear bad news? I guess that's what really matters. Insurability is the only issue here. Worst case scenario, if insurance will be too costly, I'm going to go with an above poster's advice: I'm going to offer to pay the difference and have it deducted from my paycheck.

You answered my questions regarding insurability. Great. I appreciate it. But implying that I'm lacking in moral character and integrity because of a six year old underage drinking charge is ridiculous. I made a mistake, and have shown that I've learned from it. In that respect, you are in fact wrong. The ambulance service already knows all of the details regarding the accident. I told them that I bumped into the guy in front of me in a traffic jam. Not making it sound like less than what it was. That's literally what happened. They are aware that echnically it is no fault, as is shown by my driving record. What they disclose to the insurance company is entirely up to them. Thanks for the replies. So the conclusion here is, I'm morally bankrupt with zero integrity and I likely won't get the job?

I don't have to sit here and take this. I asked about my insurability, not what you think of me as a person. My integrity is called into question? How many people attend parties where alcohol is served before they are 21? Can you honestly say that you never once touched an alcoholic beverage before you were of age? And can you say that anyone who has doesn't belong in EMS and has bad integrity and can't be trusted? Here's an example: a 19 year old who was in my EMS class has a job with a local fire dept lined up. Through conversation, I learned that while partying isn't really his thing, he has done it. Should he immediately resign his position due to lacking in moral character and integrity? And I HAVE demonstrated that I learned from my mistakes. What a foolish comment. No subsequent criminal convictions of any kind for the following 6 years shows that. I don't know what else you want from me. If I volunteered in a soup kitchen would that please you? People make mistakes. Get off your high horse, buddy. And dude, no fault means no fault. It means that I don't have to implicate myself as being at fault. It doesn't mean I'm going to lie. If I don't have to implicate myself, why would I? If they ask, I'll say "no fault." And that's true.

Well yes, and here's why: I'm a good driver, good enough to operate an ambulance safely. I made a mistake, as people do. I've certainly learned from it and it won't happen again. I don't have a pattern of bad driving, just a single incident. The accident is no fault, so I can deny any wrong doing. And my rates are relatively low (for my age). I'm 24. The MIP doesn't factor into my rates. I'm trying to understand why it would. Does a possession of alcohol charge imply that I may operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol? Might as well hike the rates up on anyone who uses alcohol, ever. Again, no pattern. I've learned from it and it wont happen again. Well, I think I'm screwed either way. If I can't get hired here, I seriously doubt I could get hired anywhere else. If this fails, I'm going back to school. Accounting maybe? They seem to like me. I'm just crossing my fingers that they'll be able to hire me in the event that my record reflects badly on insurance rates. Thanks for the replies

So I recently interviewed with an ambulance service. They like me, and more or less told me that I have the job as soon as my background clears. I already told them what they would find (minor in possession of alcohol, 2008). The hiring manager basically told me it was not a concern, only possibly with insurance. I'm not worried about clearing the background check. What I am concerned about is being insurable. The MIP is not on my driving record, is almost 6 years old, and did not cause me any problems with my private auto insurance. I can't imagine why it would cause me any problems. My driving record consists of a no fault accident (no cars totaled, no injuries, no fatalities, no claims) and a "following too close" moving violation from last November. Given how long I've been driving, I consider that pretty good, and my insurance rates are still relatively low given my age. But I have no idea what the insurance requirements are for ambulance drivers. I figured other EMTs would know more about this kind of thing. Am I uninsurable? I truly apologize for bothering you all with this. This is just such a huge step in my life.