Starting over

[CDean1262]

Anyone out here had any experience in re-starting an EMS career from scratch? I was an EMT and a medic from 1981 to 1999, and worked for a major city fire department, but after being forced out of the fire service in 1995(and the former employer doing everything in their power to prevent me from renewing my license,)I let my license go inactive. Now it seems that due to system requirements and costs, I might be better of starting from scratch. Anybody got any comments or ideas? Anything would be greatly appreciated.

[RyanEMVFD]

I have a friend that pretty much has done the same thing. Just remember alot has changed and advanced since you left. School was a little tougher but it's was riding a bicycle you don't forget most of the stuff.

Good Luck.

[emsguy7166]

I'm doing the same thing. Starting over after 10 years of inactivity. Luckily in my jurisdiction most of the fire training is still okay, but the medical (EMTB) is all new. I was an EMTA the last time I rode an ambulance. With all the new skills they are now teaching (AED, meds, etc.) I'm kinda glad that I'm taking everything all over again. I still remember alot of it, but a refresher course probably wouldn't bring me back up to the level that I was before. I maybe be crazy, but I'm glad to take the whole thing over again. Hopefully, it will be easy this time.

[GENAFIRE]

i WASNT ABLE TO TAKE THE TIME OFF OF WORK LAST SUMMER TO KEEP MY EMT CURRENT, AND IT EXPIRED...NOW I HAVE TO REDO THE WHOLE THING AS WELL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR ME!A FEW YEARS BACK i HAD MY EMT BUT IT WAS FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTY AND I HAD TO REDO THE ENTIRE COURSE AGAIN....MY CAPTAIN WOULD NOT LET ME TAKE OFF THE DAYS I NEEDED TO MAINTAIN MY EMT CERT LAST YEAR THEN I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE DEPT. SPONSORED CLASS BUT BECAUSE I WAS ONLY A SEASONAL FOR USFS, I WAS DENIED ACCESS(FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYEES ONLY). IT DIDNT MATTER I HAD SEVERAL SEASONS IN,WHICH SUCKS. NOW I HAVE TO FIND A REFRESHER COURSE OR MOST LIKELY REPEAT THE ENTIRE CLASS WHICH WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SCHEDULE AND NOT INTERFERE WITH FIRE SEASON.
I WAS WONDERING IF THEY OFFERED SUCH A COURSE ON THE INTERNET TO BE COMPLETED AT YOUR OWN CONVENIENCE-SO I COULD DO IT AT NIGHT OR WHENEVER I HAVE FREE TIME....HOPE YOUR HAVING BETTER LUCK THAN I AM
GEN:rolleyes: