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/Jumpy_Secretary_1517 3d ago

I picked my department in part because they’d pay for medic school and are EMS heavy. I love it. I’m an outlier, though. When I’m on an engine, I honestly rarely get the feeling that I’m truly helping anyone but instead running false alarms. When I’m on the ambulance it feels like I’m making an actual, tangible difference and it fills my cup. I also love going to the ER, talking with doctors, getting to know nurses, and getting to see patient follow ups.

I’d quit if I were on the engine all the time. That job would be boring AF

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u/BasicGunNut TX Career 1d ago

It takes all kinds, someone has to do it so the rest of us aren’t forced to.