Fire Board Meeting September 21st Meadview

Please attend the Fire Board Meeting September 21st @ 1:30PM at the Meadview Civic Center 247 E Meadview Blvd Meadview AZ

The course our fire service and ambulance takes will decide the fate of many of our friends and neighbors when they call 911.

Will you get a firefighter who's required to be an EMT, or an EMT who's a healthcare provider?

Here's an article on how some firefighters feel about being an EMT. In my opinion any firefighters who are required to be an EMT, and haven't advanced to paramedic in a short time, to provide better patient care, and make more money, have no interest in EMS, they're firefighters, not healthcare providers.

What Firefighters Think About Being Forced to Be EMT's or Paramedic from EMS World
Forced EMS is a killer. Just having to ride the meat wagon as an EMT is bad enough, but here in PG they changed the job title of Firefighter to Emergency Rescue Technician. Upon being hired you have to sign a contract saying you will acquire your Paramedic certification in a certain amount of time which is 3 years I think. This certification has to be obtained on your on time and expense. This has killed recruitment and retention here. They have already lowered the entrance exam score in order to try and attract more people. When they do get a class, by the time it’s time for them to have their Paramedic certification they are leaving for surrounding departments that don’t have this requirement. 
PG is now being used as a stepping stone. Get hired by PG, get trained and get some time on the job and head for greener pastures when it’s time to become a Paramedic.
EMS has always been a part of the service but it’s crazy to force people that want to be a firefighter to become Paramedics also. 
http://www.firehouse.com/forums/t35852