96 Hours On Duty: Life as a Firefighter and Paramedic

[@tiarrarodrigues5289]

Hey I found your video from Reddit and I’m so glad that I did. I actually did a few clinicals with y’all a few months back. Thanks do much for taking on students and sharing videos like this.

[@amateurems]

@@tiarrarodrigues5289 that’s awesome! I’m glad you were able to do some clinicals with us, we love our students that stop by it helps us go over the foundations, and can be a general nice mix up. Thank you!

[@tangytango2749]

Attending my EMT-B course at a local community college in about a month, and found your videos while studying. I've been binging since, and while I struggle to follow along with some things, I still learn quite a bit. This is probably the best video you've made so far. Great work!

[@amateurems]

@@tangytango2749 thank you I agree!! It’s definetly a learning curve for myself, I’d highly recommend checking out my playlists, they’re small at the moment but I’m currently working on my EKG one where you can start from knowing nothing to mastering them, it’s just time consuming. Im glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment!

[@thenarder]

thanks for making this video man, it is very eye opening and helpful for people trying to learn about this career (and also just a fun video), i liked how you described the need to just unwind and wear comfy clothes and stuff sometimes, i'm happy that you brought that up

[@amateurems]

@@thenarder it’s definetly an underrated subject, especially if you’re working for an extended period of time! Small things to unwind really add up over time, and thanks so much for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@thenarder]

@@amateurems you're welcome thank you for making it

[@DevinZA]

I don't know how long you've been in the FD but your continued enthusiasm for the job is amazing. Also, completely agree on the changing of clothes, most of the crew at our station go to their undershirts at night and put on their button shirts/tunics when a call comes in. Tried many a shift to get school work during down times but the anticipation of a call just makes me play video games and doom scroll instead. I'm not sure if I missed it, but in the new station (station 71) I didn't see any fire pole. Did they stop putting them in? Ours just gets used for demonstrations for the kids when they visit, most responders just walk down the staircase nowadays.

[@amateurems]

I think a big part of it is really just the people I work with, they’re all really great people! And it’s so tough to focus on school depending on your department but if you can find the time try to push through it! It was at station 72 the newer one, we wanted a fire pole but I think it was going to raise our insurance rates for the station to astronomical levels (hundreds of thousands to millions) so we had to settle for stairs lol it would’ve been fun though until someone got hurt

[@DevinZA]

@@amateurems Makes sense, our station was built in the 70s, they retrograde added some mattress padding at the bottom of the pole but also conveniently built a staircase right next to it originally so everyone just uses that. Do any of you also go for the pre-call toilet stop or just me? I'm always worried that the call will end up being like 3 hour house fire or hours long wait for EMS (often is here).

[@amateurems]

@@DevinZA I will sometimes do that depending on the call if it sounds emergent though I’ll skip the restroom. We’re lucky we have a utility truck that can come out to long fire calls that have a restroom, so it takes a lot of pressure off of long fire calls. But beware, if you make a bowel movement you better be ready to clean it when you get back to the station lol

[@scorpieo]

Great Video! I like that you show the rawness of what we do! - Paramedic From Central TX

[@amateurems]

@@scorpieo thank you!! I thought it was fun interpretation compared to the more polished one, I hope you’re staying safe over there!

[@bradybearss9188]

Really cool video you did a great job of showing what a realistic day in the life looks like. Would love to see more videos like this

[@amateurems]

Im glad you enjoyed it!! Im planning on focusing on some educational content for a while but i ended up having a lot of fun making this video and everyone in it seemed to enjoy it too, so ill probably make another one in the future!

[@koreybutler8915]

Love the content - keep posting long form!

[@amateurems]

@@koreybutler8915 thank you!!! I need to get more into educational content, but I’ll drop the occasional fun ones here and there, this was definetly a fun one!

[@saminasser7807]

This video is exactly what I was looking for in a day in the life type video. I'm in the bay area of Cali and I have a million questions to ask, they prob wont be in order of relevance. Did you start EMT for a few years and then interview for Fire? Do you recommend I do IFT for 3-6 months, then switch to 911 EMT for a year or so before applying at a fire department? How long is/was your probation? What age did you make the decision to be a firefighter, and how long did it take you/schooling and possible college academy training/ did it take to start your first day on the job? Are you in school for Paramedicine ? How do you figure out which county you knew was your goal county to work for? Did you have station meals/breakfast lunch dinner/ already learned before coming to Fire, or is cooking something you had to learn to do for you and large groups of people once you got in the job.

[@amateurems]

I had to set up my labtop to answer this one lol, 1.) I started by getting my EMT-B and then I went straight into getting my fire license, while I was working on my Paramedic after getting the first two I volunteered for two months at Annaville Fire Department to sharpen my skills and they ended up offering me a job. I started right before Covid started so that was interesting. 2.) I recommend going straight for 911 if it's possible, for IFT's you can generally make more money but it can be a lot more draining depending on where you work, and you don't use too many skills. 3.) My probation was technically 1 year and it is for most new hires, however I didn't really have the standard probation since I came in with a decent amount of knowledge, now we're more standardized though so new hires will have a 1 year probation period. 4.) I decided to become a firefighter/paramedic around 23-24, I went initially with just getting my EMT-B, then I realized I wanted difficult calls that were 911 related so I went for my fire. Then I realized I wanted to be the lead medic in these calls so I went for my Paramedic. The EMT-B was 1 semester, fire was 2 semesters, and the Paramedic was 1 1/2 years. I answered the other part in 1.) 5.) I obtained my associates in Emergency Medicine and my bachelors in Cellular & Molecular Biology and a minor in Chemistry. 6.) I was volunteering to prepare to work for the city of Corpus Christi as I was going through the interview process but Annaville ended up offering me a job while I still had roughly 6 months of waiting for a job offer for Corpus. I already liked everyone that I worked with at Annaville FD, the captains and the chiefs are all really great people so it was an easy decision. 7.) I cooked for myself for quite a few years living alone before I came onto the fire department, but if you don't know how it's okay you can learn from other individuals over time. These are generally people who signed up to help people for work, so they're glad to teach other too for the most part. This was a lot of typing whew

[@happytrails112]

Hello from Melbourne, Australia!! I think you're great and love your videos. happy trails and catch ya soon!

[@amateurems]

Thanks for stopping by!! Im glad you’re enjoying them! They’re going to get a lot more boring for a couple as I go for more educational content, but illl try to spice it up!

[@happytrails112]

@@amateurems Sounds good and keep them coming!! I'm moving over to the US to work as a medic in Feb so I'll come find you and shout you a lunch!🍕🌭🙂

[@davidgonzales5878]

This was awesome!!!!

[@amateurems]

Thanks, I’m glad we were able to get B shift in there!

[@floydm.4159]

I did 72 once and i felt dead after, a 96 hour shift is crazy even if the call volume is low.

[@amateurems]

Luckily I'm surrounded by great people, so I tend to just have fun at work for the most part. But I get you! It can feel like prison at times

[@Exsolable]

Very Unique Engine , looks awesome.Great video

[@amateurems]

@@Exsolable thanks for the feedback!! I really appreciate it!

[@saucycolin8616]

This video is awesome

[@amateurems]

@@saucycolin8616 thank you!! I had a lot of fun with it

[@ilianaybarra9829]

29:18 who’s your handsome friend there 😍

[@amateurems]

He is a very thirsty lad

[@ExtremeStuntMan100]

your hilarious bro. Good shit!

[@amateurems]

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mechanized]

Have to agree with your entire rant at 15:20. Both the clothes part and the shower part. Have to live your life too.

[@86THECRITIC]

I love this video, but I hate to tell you- you kind of sound like Zoolander and I can't unhear it.

[@amateurems]

😪 it is my cross to bear thank you thank you

[@whuffer5103]

Ohhhh the narcotics safe. Neat!

[@amateurems]

@@whuffer5103 haha we don’t talk about that safe 🤫

[@HiThere-k8m]

96hr tours!!.. How much time off do you get afterwards.. Here I thought doing 24s was rough

[@amateurems]

Depending on your agency/department it definetly can be rough even with 24 hours!! I usually do 48 hours and then I have 96 hours off but I try to squeeze in overtime if i can help it. The 4 days off aspect can be really nice though! It's like a mini vacation every time!

[@FlyingVolvo]

Quick question, what's done if you're out on a non-emergency call and a emergency call comes in with no other units being available within a reasonable distance? I can imagine it being a uncommon but not rare situation with how things are staffed and funded in the U.S.

[@dissofficial3943]

Hello from Georgia, Tbilisi. Working as Paramedic for 2 years already. I was just wondering about your calls and working style. I'm working from morning 10 AM till next day 10 AM, 24 hours shifts, every 3rd day, or every second day like needed. in 24 hours i have 14-15 calls as usual, some days i can have 10 and sometimes 20. In nearly 90% of calls, I am not really needed, for example: 1. Granny who live alone and just want to talk to somebody; 2. Drunkards and drug addicts who have a headache and are "heartbroken"; 3. 37c fever; 4. Call due to pain, who does not have medicine at home and does not want to buy it themselves; 5. Nervousness; 6. also often have calls like : "I had pain in my toe and was afraid something would happen to my heart." and etc.

[@A10-thundebolt2]

As someone who wants to go into firefighting and paramedicine I have some questions. First: would you recommend being a firefighter and go to school and get a degree in paramedicine or get the degree first then start working as a firefighter-paramedic? Second: at what age would you say it would be good to start training both physically and mentally (I'm 14 as of writing this) and would going into a fire science program my high school offers either offer me a hand up in the selection/interview/training process? Third: Would you recommend getting a 4 year degree or going to a community college and getting a 2 year degree? As of now these are all the questions I have and if you don't know the answer to any I still thank you for taking the time to answer these.

[@amateurems]

1.a) I would recommend getting your EMT-B and then working towards your fire, since if you get your fire license but not your EMT-B in a year you can lose your license. From there you can get your Paramedic license with an Associates through certain colleges such as a community college. Look at your local departments and see if they have any volunteering, having strong grades especially in your last couple years of high school not only helps open up paths for your education, but it also makes you look great in interviews. Who knows, if you do well enough you can do whatever you want to do, it's up to you though through high school. 1.b) One thing to note, while you're working on this (some high schools have programs that can help you get your associate **great idea**) if you're 18+ and apply to a department certain grants can help fund your education if you work with them! 2.) If this is your goal I would highly highly recommend showing interest and taking advantage of this program, the earlier you start the earlier you can build your retirement and your career! I would talk to an advisor from your school or a counselor, I'm sure they'd love to help you work into getting into the program! 3.) For Paramedics usually it's a 2 year degree the farthest you can really go is a licensed paramedic, but if you end up doing well in college early on you can obtain scholarships to help fund you throughout your college carreer. You'd look infinitely better if you obtained a 4 year bachelors over a 2 year, just make sure that it's something you can actually utilize in some way. Who knows you might change your mind in the future, and continue to pursue a different route. I hope this helps! Goodluck and keep working hard in school!! You got this!

[@A10-thundebolt2]

@@amateurems Thank you so much I will keep all this in mind and I will also definitely do the Fire Science program my high school offers and I will continue my goal of keeping at least a B average in school. Also a question I forgot about: what high school classes would you recommend? I am going to sign up for a basic health sciences class in my freshman year and possibly continue with that, would you recommend that or no?

[@amateurems]

@@A10-thundebolt2 I would recommend talking to an advisor or a counselor about it, you can also talk to the individual who runs the fire science program and see what they recommend! They would probably give you much better information then anything I can provide. I'm glad you're at keeping a B average! You must be working very hard to maintain it, I hope you continue pushing hard for your goals!!

[@A10-thundebolt2]

@@amateurems Thank you so much I will talk to my counselor and thank you for your service

[@Hurst6969]

EPA is going to love seeing the foam all over the ground!!!!! OMG how silly

[@amateurems]

@@Hurst6969 sorry I understand your concerns but we have to test the different variations of foam we have access too, they use a friendlier supply then the older versions of foam but it’s either we cycle through them properly or we won’t be sure if it’s ready for a vehicle or house fire. It’s just part of checking off our trucks, but I can see your concern it’s definetly reasonable

[@Kewl_Kev]

You’re like an off brand Pedro Pascal

[@amateurems]

I’ve been told that before lol I’ll take it

[@jameshass4467]

Wondering why your helmet is red ? Does your department run red for FF ? That's usually reserved for LT or Captain where I'm from

[@amateurems]

Oh wow, where I’m from yellow is usually reserved for a Captain + and we have a shield patch that probationary individuals will have for a year before they swap to a regular one

[@lorielpoteat882]

Im actually going to go back and get my high school diploma and then go get permedic degree. And then become a volunteer Firefighter just like my dad

[@amateurems]

@@lorielpoteat882 that’s awesome!!! Continuing education is so key in this day and age, I’m sure with hard work you can get through it in no time!

[@6738-d1j]

Yall fight fire off your med units?

[@amateurems]

Yes we keep our gear on our medic units, so if I showed up to a house fire there’s been times where I’ll be there first as the only unit, I’ll tell my driver to bunk out if it looks serious enough, I’ll do a 360 while establishing command and checking on everyone making sure that everyone is safe and doesn’t need a medic unit currently (most times they don’t) and I’ll go back and bunk out. The whole time I’m radioing my can report (conditions actions needs) to give them an idea of what’s happening. I’ve only had to bunk out to about 3 fires as a medic unit, we’re limited with backup at the county fires.

[@6738-d1j]

@ that’s good to have a department where you get the best of both worlds. We usually pair our first due med unit with an engine company and assign the second due to medical. If you’re first due on the box you’re almost guaranteed to go interior.

[@amateurems]

@@6738-d1j yeah we definetly rush to those fires on the box!

[@jonathon-mz1tk]

What happens if yall get a call & y’all are cooking

[@amateurems]

@@jonathon-mz1tk if the medic units cooking or the engine company we can have the others take over with brief instructions, if we both need to go to a complex medical call or a fire structure sometimes we just have to turn off the stove/grill and leave it as is, it doesn’t happen too often though! And the fear of calls won’t stop me from attempting to cook at the station, but it can happen sometimes

[@jonathon-mz1tk]

@@amateurems I bet yall love the early morning calls like between 1 am and 5 am

[@amateurems]

@@jonathon-mz1tk I usually thrive more the later it gets honestly, but while I may have high energy during night time I try to be mindful of my co workers, since they look miserable around 2-3 AM lol

[@ronthemogul]

96hr? Gatdam

[@Hurst6969]

Insanity Trying to figure out the associated risk to have someone working that long Imagine if/when the driver of ambulance is involved in accident at 50 hour point in shift.... The victim of the accident will obviously get a lawyer to ensure the fire chief is held accountable for allowing this to happen. Slow shift and allowed to get lots of sleep/naps it's all good. BUT a busy shift they are setting themselves up for mega law suits`!!

[@amateurems]

Well we have to think about the rotation of the individual as well too. If you look I was worked as lead paramedic (no driving) so I sat in the passenger seat the first day. The second day I was tailboard in the back so no driving again. The third day I was lead paramedic so no driving. And the fourth day I was tailboard again, so again no driving. I understand your concerns, but at least in this example, it may not be as insane as you think