How to become a firefighter-paramedic after the army?
Asked by jimmy jazz
I just enlisted in the Army as a 68W Combat Medic. What kind of education should i get after i get out to become a firefighter-paramedic? As a 68W, I'll already be certified as an EMT-B, and I'm looking to do this in California. I'd also like to complete the classroom education in about 3 years, would that be possible? I'm about halfway through the General Ed to have an AA degree.

Best Answer:
As an army medic you'll be trained to do different and sometimes more than a street medic although when you get out you will either have to take your states medic program or challenge the test then become national registry. Some army certs won't hold over because cert qualifications are different in the ciciliam world.
12yrs fire service FFII & Truck Capt. with many army medic friends who are now street medics
Answered by matthew c

Volunteer at a fire station. If you have the opportunity to volunteer, you get training and experince. If that station is also a rescue then you may have a resource for EMT continuing education which is ussually required to maintain your certification. Also if you are under a Medical Director you can work as an itermediate or paramedic(once you are certificified). Now if you volunteer at a Fire Station does not run medical calls, you can probably pick up shifts part-time. I know a 21M who lost his EMT certs during a deployment due to lack of con-ed. So this is something you have to maintain and stay on top of. Also a note on Certification, EMTs can be certified by state or National. You will probably want National certification for obvious reasons. Firefighter certificiation varies from state to state. It doesnt mean that you have take the training over when you ets to a different state. You will have to check with each state to see transfer FF certs. I understand there is a push in the EMS community for licensure and drop two of the four levels of EMT.
Answered by Lefty

In California, it is not required to become an EMT-II (EMT-Intermediate in other states) in order to become a paramedic. The link below is a good way to tell you how to become a paramedic. Being a firefighter does not require a college degree but it does help you get a job. Finish college then go to paramedic school. Paramedic school will be hard especially if you don't have any experience as an EMT. The best experience is working on an ambulance that does 9-1-1 calls. Become a volunteer firefighter. Take fire science classes. Go to a firefighter 1 academy at a community college. Work as a seasonal firefighter with Cal Fire or the U.S. Forest Service. Anything that will make you more marketable.
Answered by kingscup20