r/Firefighting • u/Obviouslythrowaway_- • 3d ago

General Discussion Fire vs Fire/EMS Departments

What has your experience been in either department? All I keep hearing is guys complain about how EMS departments are dreadful and miserable but get paid more. When, in my area I hear that the big City (fire only) gets paid the most and has the best benefits. Have I been lied to this whole time? Are there ANY benefits to EMS departments?

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u/CohoWind 3d ago

Here in my west coast state, there is virtually no such thing as a fire-only fire department, thankfully. Whether a department actually transports or not, all respond on medical calls, and have for many many decades. That includes the biggest cities and the tiniest all-volunteer FDs. Like it or not, most FDs in the west are all-risk agencies, and EMS is an integral part of their daily duties. I spent 30 years on the job here, and the department provided the required EMT-B training during rookie school. It was part of my FF job description. I can’t imagine having spent those decades on the job without running EMS calls, and being so tuned-out to my community’s needs.