Medical Preparedness

[workinwifdakids]

Thanks for the tip, Aesop. I'll try to pick that up.

And good idea, BE. I know for example that every firefighter in Corona is a certified EMT. In places where it's not required, the competition is so fierce that any little thing that puts you ahead of the pack is a good idea.

[Aesop]

In SoCal, particularly for white males, if you don't already have an EMT card before you apply to any FD, they won't even return your phone call. They prefer paramedics, and the wait to get hired is such that knocking it out is easily doable.

[308Mike]

In SoCal, particularly for white males, if you don't already have an EMT card before you apply to any FD, they won't even return your phone call. They prefer paramedics, and the wait to get hired is such that knocking it out is easily doable.

*IF* you apply with the City of San Diego, and they state their 'Eligible List' is only good for 6 months ('cause they get so many applicants), and you actually get into the system where you're notified for an interview, that DOES NOT stop the eligibility time from expiring (TRUST ME, I've had that happen more than once - being scheduled for an interview and then having them cancel since my eligibility had expired), so you need to MAKE SURE you keep an eye on your eligibility otherwise the city WILL drop your ass from consideration even if you were scheduled for an interview. You NEED to track your eligibility, and if it's a high demand position like Firefighter Recruit, then they keep the eligibility list short-lived, so those who are REALLY interested in the position won't pay attention and wind up missing the opportunity to reapply to maintain their eligibility.

Bottom line, they're just being lazy - yet again, they're also dealing with THOUSANDS of applicants for that job, and anything they can do to eliminate those who don't really want the job makes THEIR JOB that much easier.

IF you apply for a Civil Service job, MAKE SURE you maintain your eligibility, now matter how short the list eligibility is, whether it's 6 months, a year, or even 2 years. If it's a short list, keep an eye out for the opportunity to re-apply to maintain your eligibility - and if there's no chance to re-apply, CALL THEM to check what you need to do to CONTINUE your eligibility. TAKE THE INITIATIVE.

YMMV - I hope this info is useful and valuable, even if they may have changed SOME of their procedures. Bottom line, you need to do what's necessary to maintain your eligibility!!

SEMPER FI!

[Aesop]

Well, as a number of fire inspectors and Bn chiefs have pointed out to me in chats in L.A.:
"We're not exactly hurting for people: all we have to do is annoounce there are two openings, and the next morning there are 2000 guys standing on the sidewalk outside City Hall at 6 A.M.".

[308Mike]

Well, as a number of fire inspectors and Bn chiefs have pointed out to me in chats in L.A.:
"We're not exactly hurting for people: all we have to do is annoounce there are two openings, and the next morning there are 2000 guys standing on the sidewalk outside City Hall at 6 A.M.".

AYUP!!!

That's why they're looking for those who pay attention and maintain their eligibility, even if it's only a copy & paste job to ensure their eligibility for the latest employment list.

Paying attention to DETAILS matters - at least at the city of San Diego.

YMMV!!

[evan price]

Hep Aesop: The BBT dropped my copy of the Altons' book this AM and it's going in the stack to read next week on vacation. The quick skim I gave it looks good. Basic and informative yet useful.

[Jered]

Hep Aesop: The BBT dropped my copy of the Altons' book this AM and it's going in the stack to read next week on vacation. The quick skim I gave it looks good. Basic and informative yet useful.

Yep. That book has a lot of useful information in it.

[Netpackrat]

It's probably a topic for its own thread, but I was wondering what anybody would suggest as a route to better emergency medical training without the risk of losing the protection of good samaritan laws? Because it is my understanding that in general, as your level of recognized training increases, your potential legal liability also increases since you lose the protection generally afforded a lay person who is just trying to help out.

[Kommander]

It's probably a topic for its own thread, but I was wondering what anybody would suggest as a route to better emergency medical training without the risk of losing the protection of good samaritan laws? Because it is my understanding that in general, as your level of recognized training increases, your potential legal liability also increases since you lose the protection generally afforded a lay person who is just trying to help out.

Could you take the classes but then refuse official certification? Is there a central database of such things?

[Termite]

I suppose you could take the courses and never test or register.

However, emt/paramedic/nurses/etc do have protection under state laws as long as they do not exceed their level of training, and their actions meet the "prudent and reasonable" standard.