EMT classes....but fire?

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pritomd

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Hey, I've heard that working in an ambulance after taking EMT classes is good looking to med schools as an extra curricular, but what about working with a volunteer firefighting department? Is the thing that makes it look good the fact that you got EMT certified? Or will being a volunteer firefighter still look good?
 
well, a lot of firefighters I've met are paramedics or EMTS. they use both of their trainings, firefighting and EMT, on jobs.
And also, don't do it for the sake of "looking good" on the resume. Do whichever you think you will enjoy.
 
It'll be a good experience and as already mentioned some departments/countys have most of their firefighters be either EMT-B or EMT-P certified.

If you can use your EMT skills then do it, if not then you can still do it but obviously it won't count towards any medical exposure. It would be just volunteer experience.
 
That would be awesome. It would be a serious adventure. Breaking down doors, running through flames, saving babies. Plus firemen are totally hot. Who cares about the EMT certification unless u use it. Lots of people are EMT certified. Not many fight fires. DO IT.com!!!

You seem slightly misinformed. The types of calls you are referring to are uncommon.

I am cross trained and certified in firefighting, technical rescue, and hazardous materials. A bit more entertaining on the whole than EMS, but also a lot more physically involved. For reference, I have never saved a baby (I've delivered one in the field), broken down 2 doors, and don't walk through flames.
 
Good for you EMS5 - but firefighting isnt really technically related to medicine (kicking down doors).

I agree fire may be more exciting, but calls are less frequent, and you often do far less (carbon monoxide checks arent really labor intensive). It is def more physically involved, but again irrelevant to medicine (in any form)
 
Good for you EMS5 - but firefighting isnt really technically related to medicine (kicking down doors).

I agree fire may be more exciting, but calls are less frequent, and you often do far less (carbon monoxide checks arent really labor intensive). It is def more physically involved, but again irrelevant to medicine (in any form)

I can't really comment on the rest of the country, but in Orlando FL, fire stations are constantly running all day, going to various levels of "emergencies". Fires and such are far and few between. If you work for a fire department, you will definitely use your EMT skills! Old people are always having heart attacks and strokes, etc. It'll be a fun time, I say do it!
 
I can't really comment on the rest of the country, but in Orlando FL, fire stations are constantly running all day, going to various levels of "emergencies". Fires and such are far and few between. If you work for a fire department, you will definitely use your EMT skills! Old people are always having heart attacks and strokes, etc. It'll be a fun time, I say do it!

Fair point - for me fire and EMS are separate entities. So the bucketheads only go out when there is smoke showing or CO detectors go off.

Definitely depends on your area
 
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