A career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Baltimore County Fire Department brings a distinctive way of life with its own challenges and rewards. Before you decide if it’s for you, make sure you educate yourself about life in the fire service.
Like members of the armed services, EMTs follow a command structure based on rank, with EMTs at the lower end of the scale. A paramilitary structure requires you to take orders from those of higher rank. Uniforms are required and provided. You are held accountable for your behavior--off the job as well as on the job.
Recruits spend several weeks studying at the Fire-Rescue Academy (FRA) in Sparrows Point. Training involves lectures, reading, homework and tests of academic information, physical fitness and practical skills such as driving and performing medical procedures.
To graduate, recruits must become certified by the state as EMTs. Certification requires passage of a written and practical exam, administered by the FRA.
After graduation from the FRA, recruits spend two years on probationary status.
Most EMTs are assigned to one of the county’s 25 career fire stations.
Station personnel work "four on/four off" shifts – two days, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; two nights, 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.; followed by four days off (a few are assigned to day shifts).
Like firefighters, EMTs are responsible for all calls up to the end of the shift. If a call occurs five minutes before you are scheduled to go off duty, you must go on that call, even though it will require you to work past your normal quitting time. (Those with childcare issues need to prepare for this).
Stations are equipped with a bunkroom so that crew members working night shifts may sleep on set shifts when they are not on a call or performing other station work. If you sleep, you will be in the same room as co-workers.
All station personnel are responsible for assisting with station chores, such as cleaning and lawn care. When on duty, EMTs cannot leave the station to take care of personal business. They cannot make or receive cell phone calls when en route to or working on an incident. EMTs are expected to show up for work on time every day they are scheduled to work -- including during snowstorms, hurricanes or other severe weather.
Each county medic unit (ambulance) is staffed with one EMT and one paramedic. The paramedic is in charge of patient care. The EMT assists with all patient care. Both paramedics and EMTs drive the medic unit. EMT work can be emotionally stressful. EMTs are busy; more than 70 percent of all calls received by the Fire Department are medical calls. EMT work is rewarding; the department regularly receives letters from citizens grateful for the help provided by EMS personnel.
Fire Department personnel receive a generous amount of annual leave. Time off is granted on the basis of seniority, so new EMTs should not expect to be able to take vacation whenever they choose. EMTs may retire after 25 years or at age 50. Starting salary is competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. With the proper credentials, EMTs may promote to other positions.
A more comprehensive view of the Baltimore County Fire Department is available online.
For more information about emergency medical services in Maryland, visit the Maryland Institute for Emergency Services Systems.
Revised February 13, 2007
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