Does Columbus Fire Department train their own paramedics?

April 5, 2015 7:39 PM

According to Columbus Fire Webpage FAQ, you will be trained and preform both medic/firefighter duties. Does Columbus Fire have its own paramedic program? Where can I found details about it? And is it different than the fire academy? I was considering going to Columbus State community college to do their paramedic program, but according to Columbus fire's page, they won't give paramedics any preference. Where can I find data or statistics about failure rates in the program? Thanks.
posted by crawltopslow to Work & Money (3 answers total)

It looks like Columbus Fire Academy trains you to become a firefighter/EMT and that some firefighters are selected to continue to the paramedic level after their probationary period -- cf special note here (PDF about the selection process). It doesn't say whether it's in-house or if they contract to send you somewhere to learn the paramedic portion, but I guarantee the FF/EMT component is in house.

This forum thread is relatively outdated but probably still of some use in answering some specific questions about the academy and testing process if you're willing to read through it.

Honestly, I wouldn't be worrying about failure rates in the program--I'd be worrying about failure rates to getting into the program. Most city fire academies are the same. There's a HUGE amount of competition to get in during the early steps of the selection process, but that results in really qualified cadets, so most people who get in and work reasonably hard do pass. I'd be way more worried about the hundreds of other people who may be competing against you for each spot. 6,654 applicants sat the civil service exam for fire in 2011 in Columbus. Their academy classes appear to be approximately 50 people.

If you want specific statistics about pass rates in the academy, I'm sure you could call the recruitment office in the morning (614 645-6387).

Caveat: Firefighting is a great job. I've done the firefighter/paramedic thing. EMS is a great job. I'm currently a single-role paramedic working for a hospital. But I wouldn't become a firefighter/EMT or firefighter/paramedic unless you want to perform both jobs and are motivated to do them well. Being uninterested in or mediocre at one is just going to make your work life somewhat miserable on the days you're on the fire apparatus versus the ambulance, or vice-versa.
posted by skyl1n3 at 9:24 PM on April 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

I'm not in Ohio but have some connections to my local fire department and have seen how they train and select future firefighters. Are you already volunteering with one where you'd like to have employment eventually? My understanding is that, once they get to know you and see how serious you are, they'll champion you as best they can: showing you the ropes (literally), providing mentoring, and potentially even financial assistance.

As skyl1n3 said, I'd really explore things before committing to a specific training program, especially if it turns out you need a different set of credentials or find your specialization different than originally thought. Good luck!
posted by smorgasbord at 10:25 PM on April 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

/BBut I wouldn't become a firefighter/EMT or firefighter/paramedic unless you want to perform both jobs and are motivated to do them well

Most of the fire departments (urban and rural) that I've worked with expect you to be both an EMT and FF. In fact, in many locations you have to already be an EMT to apply for the job. If you go the paramedic route, you will mostly be spending your time on EMS - but this is broadly true of any firefighting job in a municipal department where 95% of your calls will be medical .
posted by arnicae at 3:46 AM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]