Ride alongs?

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Permalink Reply by Josh on May 25, 2009 at 4:08pm

i did a few ride alongs with a fire dept. but where i live i had to be 18 just due to the nature of the job and liability issues. i hope this helps out a little.

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Permalink Reply by Katie on May 25, 2009 at 4:47pm

that's what I figured...four more years!

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Permalink Reply by Katie on May 25, 2009 at 4:54pm

is there anything that I can do now. Any programs or such? My best friend is also interested in becoming a paramedic (hehe. maybe we'll work together), so we were planning on going down to the Fire Department just to get to know the guys there. My other friend lives directly across the street from them, so I kind of know a few of them. I'm ranting. I'm going to shut up.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on May 25, 2009 at 7:10pm

There is a difference between a dual role(FF/PM) and single role. Your area may have a private EMS company that might allow a ride-a-long earlier than 18.

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Permalink Reply by Katie on May 25, 2009 at 7:16pm

maybe. I'm going to go to the Fire Department in a couple weeks with my friend to see what's what.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on May 25, 2009 at 10:02pm

Check with AMR in your area. I believe they have an explorer post.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on June 29, 2009 at 4:07pm

I did ride alongs back in the early 80`s when I was 16. At 18 I got my first EMT-B lisc. Ask around, there might be an Explorer program near you. That would be your best bet at your age.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Owens on May 25, 2009 at 7:34pm

In VA you have to be 15 to join (non riding member) and 16 to ride but you can only ride when certified as an EMT-B (for ems) or firefighter 1 (for fire department). I recommend going to your local Rescue Squad, Ambulance Company, or Fire Department and asking them directly what there rules are. I have heard of places letting 14 year olds join but not ride....they did however get to participate in training classes and squad functions.

If your really serious then take the classes in school that will help you out later on like chemistry, anatomy, join or even start a club with like minded people....in my high school they started a future medics club, see if the trainers for the athletic teams need help....there are tons of things you can be doing now to prepare you for this career you just gotta seek them out.

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Permalink Reply by Katie on May 25, 2009 at 10:01pm

Health and safety is required for only 18 weeks, but I'm going to take it all four years. I'm pulling straight A's is Science for a long time + I do plan on contacting my Fire Department and seeing what I can do at the age I'm at. I just didn't want to call and look like an idiot.

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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on May 25, 2009 at 7:59pm

We had an Explorer who was 15 years old and he rode along with us on all kinds of calls(EMS, fires, etc...). My best advice is to contact your local Fire Department and ask them about the age requirements to ride along. If they do not have a ride along program, contact the local Boy Scouts and ask them about Fire Explorer Posts in your area.

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Permalink Reply by Katie on May 25, 2009 at 10:01pm

I'm a girl. That'd be really awkward to go to boy scouts.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on May 25, 2009 at 10:03pm

The BSA are just the umbrella organization for explorers. Girls ARE welcomed there.

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