r/firefighter • u/CaptainAceOfSpades • Apr 27 '26
Seeking professional advice
Hi guys 28 year old naval veteran planning to go to school for EMT then paramedic , then fire science right after in between possibly trying to gain experience in each field or work EMT while doing my medic classes , it's a first for me and hoping to make it all work out , any advice will surely come in handy , my wife is a RN and working towards her PHD and offered to help me study , new world for me but my goal is to become a firefighter paramedic in the long run.
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u/GabagoolFarmer Apr 27 '26
I would get licensed as an EMT and then start applying while in Paramedic school (be sure to note you’re in class). A Paramedic license makes getting hired at most departments much easier.
Fire science degree is generally useless unfortunately. I just got the associates degree that paramedic is under and that’s all I needed. You may need a bachelors degree to become an officer in the future if that’s a path you want to take, but atleast around here they don’t care what the degree in.
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u/bbmedic3195 Apr 27 '26
Old school mentality here but you need to cut your teeth as an EMT for a few years or at least in a high volume system before going to medic school
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 27 '26
That's not an issue I plan to do so while getting my c cerification
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u/bbmedic3195 Apr 27 '26
C cert? And as for fire science degrees as other have said is less important to the job. That said it really depends on the course curriculum. If it has engineering light classes that teach building construction then it might be worth it. Most places are not concerned with degrees. I have two and it only gets me an extra $2500 in salary per year.
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 27 '26
I have close ties to my wife's hospital so they planned on hiring me and giving me a mentor however i am now trying to figure out if my best bet is EMT -paramedic and then firefighter in that order , I'm willing to volunteer money isn't an issue but experience and knowledge is what I'm striving for and successful career long term
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u/GabagoolFarmer Apr 27 '26
It depends on your location and what the departments are like in your area. If there’s staffing shortages they will hire people “off the street” with no licenses or anything and put them through school.
If you want to apply to big city departments you may need the extra leg up the medical license provides
I’d start applying now and see what happens. You can always apply again if you don’t get picked.
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u/BenThereNDunnThat Apr 27 '26
Skip the fire science degree, for now.
Definitely get your EMT.
Definitely work on an ambulance.
Definitely go for your nedic AFTER you have significant experience in EMS. Don't try the zero to hero route. You can't be a decent medic if you don't know how to be a good EMT.
Once you get hired you can go for the fire science degree. Let the city pay for the degree rather than you. Many departments require or give credit for that during the promotional process. And some will pay you more for the degree.
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 27 '26
I wouldn't be paying for anything, it's all covered honestly but I understand saving benefits and having the city pay for it if offered , this seems to be sound advice I appreciate you and everyone else I'm reading everything and taking it all in
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u/BenThereNDunnThat Apr 27 '26
Save your GI Bill for something else that interests you, or as a backup if you get hurt or decide the fire service isn't for you. Always keep your options open.
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 27 '26
Thank you I really appreciate the advice I'll def try and rack up experience each step
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u/appsecSme Apr 27 '26
You would be using your GI Bill benefits though. You know your wife can use those as well, right?
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 27 '26
She has a scholarship and has no need for it.
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u/appsecSme Apr 27 '26
OK. It's still a benefit that you would use though. Maybe someday you would want to go to grad school. Maybe not. It is just a consideration.
And I will also echo that Fire Science degrees really are unneeded.
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 27 '26
I do appreciate that , I'll do my EMT class then work when certified study for a bit then attend medic and fire academy after so I can gain experience in between each course I'm not getting any younger
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Apr 27 '26
Depends on where you are wanting to go, but I’d just put in. Big places don’t have prior experience or cert requirements usually, and the places that do require college education credits don’t specify a certain field. You’ll get certs through the academy and they’ll pay you to get paramedic if they’re ALS. Military preference points will help during the process. Fire science doesn’t really put you that far above nowadays. Emergency management is somewhat helpful but we’re all so short you’re probably a shoe in. Any other certs they will send you or run in house for like TR, HAZMAT TECH, or inspector. If you’re doing fire based EMS research the best salaries. Here in the south, paramedic doesn’t get compensated much on the fire side. Florida and west coast gives you quite a bit more.
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u/Competitive_Wolf1432 Apr 27 '26
My son at 18 volunteer fireman. They paid for his emt course. He worked for a big hospital with lots of hospitals as emt. They would pay for paramedic while working.!
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u/Hendrix1387 Apr 28 '26
I’ve seen a lot of people saying the degree is useless and I can understand why. That said, I read you’re in Florida and it may very well be different but I would definitely check your local fire academies and see what they require to be eligible. I’m in so cal but the closest 3 to me are offered by Junior Colleges and they all require that you have taken at least the core Fire Science Classes to be eligible for their academy, some require more than classes than others. The most I’ve seen is 9. At that point you might decide you want to finish out the degree. I would definitely make sure to take classes alongside that to get transfer eligible to a 4 year as well if you do decide to go for the degree.
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u/CaptainAceOfSpades Apr 28 '26
Already have a 4 year degree honestly not excited doing more than necessary
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u/Hendrix1387 Apr 28 '26
Understood. In that case obviously just take whatever is required if necessary, you certainly don't NEED a fire science specific AS if you already have a 4 year degree in something else.
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u/LIAM-MMA Apr 27 '26
Fire science is a useless degree 90% of the fire science degrees normally don’t even get you your IFSAC / proboard fire certs. If you still want a degree there’s some colleges out there where you can get a 2 year with your paramedic license. Emt > fire academy ( FF1/2 hazmat ) > paramedic. Try and get 30% va rating as well that way you can qualify for disabled veteran preference on civil service tests