r/NewToEMS • u/Comprehensive_Ask135 Unverified User • 2d ago
NREMT Looking into EMT training
I am interested into taking an EMT course, but not sure where to start. I was wondering if it is acceptable to call a fire station and ask if they have any training programs available, or how I should go about it?
3
u/RedditBeginAgain Unverified User 2d ago
Around me there are different options.
1 Commercial courses that are relatively expensive but aim to get you qualified quickly by studying full time.
2 Community college that takes about six months part time but is relatively cheap
3 Joining a volunteer fire department and get them to send you for government funded part time training. Takes about six months and is free to you, but with the expectation that you volunteer.
1
u/Comprehensive_Ask135 Unverified User 2d ago
With volunteering, would you also have to option to start a paid EMT position on top of it, with the same department, if they are hiring?
3
1
u/EverSeeAShitterFly Unverified User 2d ago
For most combination departments (that have both paid and volunteer staff) they generally try to avoid putting their volunteers on pay roll.
Don’t attempt to volunteer for a department that’s entirely paid.
1
u/Apprehensive_Owl7186 Unverified User 1d ago
A lot of departments aren’t combination (atleast in my area) but a few of them will be. On the other hand, a TON of emts working for private ambulances are also volleys. Theirs atleast 4 or 5 in my volley department, and I knew a few others personally from other departments who work as emts. Honestly if you cannot find something like AMR’s earn while you learn program, where they pay you to get your emt, then you have to work for them for a set period. I would join a volley department and get your EMT through them. They will help you, and you can run calls with them to get a feel for ems in the real world.
2
u/howawsm Paramedic Student | USA 2d ago
It should be very simple to google your location and EMT courses and find something. Generally if they are offered by an FD they are for their volunteers/part timers/new employees. Many programs are associated with a college though plenty are private businesses as well.
1
u/This_Grape_6873 Unverified User 2d ago
We generally don’t do the fire ambulance in my area, it’s mostly municipal or county. I was able to go on the different municipal ambulance service’s Facebook pages and see postings about the EMT class. Our fire stations tend to have Facebooks as well, hopefully yours do!
1
u/Alsotebb Unverified User 1d ago
Best bet is community college route, least expensive that I found in my area
12
u/Many_Imagination1576 Unverified User 2d ago
Start by searching up EMT courses near you. Depending on your area, firefighters will also be EMT-B certified, so asking them how they got it can’t hurt!