Possible Career change (again)
 

I have been working as an EMT on a 911 ambulance for the last 11 years fulltime with a few part time years before that. I work for the county I have lived in my whole life. Unfortunately about 6 years ago we had our chief and our director both retired within a few months of each other and they replaced both positions with one person. Ironically this person was one of our Paramdics and he was also my vice president (I was President for about 8 years) of our Local of the IAFF. We all though it was going to be great but it sure hasn't turned out that way. He has just really refused to manage pretty much at all and we are now to point where only a few people still have any professionalism left.

I have been interested in law enforcement for quite a few years but never was willing to just do it. I am thinking seriously about enrolling in our local academy and become certified. I also was thinking about going with Florida Highway Patrol, but I think I realized I don't want to be writing crash reports and chasing speeders for the next 15 years.

I talked to the Sheriff today (a personal friend as well) and he told me to get the cert and if there was an opening he would def be interested in talking to me about it.

It would be about the same money, maybe a little more. I work 24 hours on and 48 off now, and this would be 12 hour shifts so I would actually work about 800 hours less time a year.

What say you? I know we have several LEO here and was looking forward to anyone's opinion but theirs especially. Thanks

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

I spent 11 years in LE and miss it very much. It was a great career but lacked money and benefits and that is the only reason I moved on. I often think of going back because money isn't everything. You are already used to the shift work and in some sense dealing with difficult people and scenarios. As a police officer you will experience much more including dangerous things and the mundane. If your heart is in Public Service then I say go for it. There is satisfaction in doing work you enjoy.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Move to MA and you'll be make 150K+ as LEO in many communities. Several in Boston are well over 200K a year.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Seems to me that you would be snapped up by a PD especially with your EMT skills, some places around here even have dual medic/cops. Anyways just go do it, if you are already thinking about it. Move down to Collier County and put in a good word for me :tu I will be down shortly :wo

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Hell, maybe I will move there instead of Fl.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Couldn't stand the weather.:tu
Moving isn't an option for me or else I would.:tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Forgot to add that I am 48 years old. I have talked to several friends on the sheriff's department and they tell me with my build I won't have any problem as long as I prepare by getting in shape by doing some running and stuff.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Not that it matters to the discussion, but I neglected to mention that the director where I am currently employed is also my 4th cousin.:r

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

I am sure the cost of living is way higher compared to Missouri. That could be a factor. There are several places around the country that do have great pay and benefits. I am tied to the midwest and love it here.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

I spent 10yrs full-time in commercial EMS. 6 yrs ago I was hired as a road patrol deputy and I love every minute of it. About the same paperwork. I have been able to join our SCUBA team, I'm K9, and still get to go on any EMS call that I feel like. I say just go for it.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

I have seen Boston Police officers driving Ferrari's, so they must've had a little left over. There was a list of highest paid public officials, and outside of U-Mass chancellors and the Governor, they were mostly law enforcement officers on the top of the list. 200K is a good salary, granted I bet they were working themselves to an early grave.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Wow I find that amazing. I would love a 200K salary doing something I love.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Best of luck to you Greg!

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Sounds Like A Good Deal To Me, Greg! Go For It, Brother!:):tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Thanks brothers.

I appreciate all the replies and it looks like it might be fall before another class starts and I intend to be in it.:tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

You have 11 years in, how many more before you can retire? I ask because I started something I didn't love but can retire at 20 years. Now, at 50, I can retire at any time and do something else if I wish. A great deal of pressure has be lifted because if the bullshit level ever raises again I can submit my paperwork and walk. You've got 11 years plus in, that's a lot of time to walk away from.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

I fret to imagine what their family lives must be like with OT it takes to make that.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Greg,if Florida Highway Patrol has anything similar to Maryland's MedEvac system there are sworn trooper/EMT's that fly with MD's helicopters.
Just some food for thought if that is the case.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

The nice thing is I am currently on high risk state of florida retirement. FHP, or Local Law Enforcement will be seamless. Don't have to retire as it will just continue to build.

worth checking into but i dont think it works that way in Florida. :tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

I spent 30 years in law enforcement and loved it. I could have made more in private industry, but I loved the work. Also, my retirement check comes in each month, you can't say that about several major corporations now.

If you have a chance to get certified in Fl and can get on with a department, I would do that. I am originally from NY and keep in mind that many of the northern and New England states have civil service. In most ot them you have to live there for at least one year before you are even eligible to take the exam and then it is about a one year process to get hired. Also, many have a 35 year old cap for hiring, minus up to 6 years of military time.

I am now the CJ Chair at a Community College here and I enjoy the interaction with the students. With your EMS background, I agree that you would be a real find for any law enforcement agency.

Good luck!

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

That's with plenty of detail shifts and other overtime, though. Directing traffic in the middle of winter or in summer with temps and humidity in the 90's. Don't forget the gozillion college kids and the hundreds of bars. I wouldn't want to do it.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Looks like the next class starts the last week of July. I am going to go ahead and enroll and do my FBAT test so I have that done. Lining up things at my current job so I can be at class on time.:tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Congratulations and, if it's what you truly want to do, jump on the opportunity!

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Thanks Dave. Also found out today that they are trying to put together a firefighter/EMS shift based class. It last's 9 months instead of 4.5 but it will be a lot easier to do instead of having to take shifts off, I would simple go to class every 2nd day off unless it falls on Sunday. Wouldn't have to take any days off at all. I think that would be less stressful on the scheduling.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Glad to see you are taking the leap. Wishing you all the best.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Thanks Andrew. With the shift based class starting the last week of March and lasting 9 months, and the original class I was going to get in that is Monday through Thursday lasting 4 1/2 months, they both end at almost the same time. Lot less stress having the shift based so I don't have to take time off and then have people come in early to be at class on time.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Glad it is working out for you. I wonder what may cause more stress for you, being an EMT or LEO. I try not to bring things home with me but sometimes it seems unavoidable.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

It's the same for us I think. The problem is hard to put into words. I think we build all the coping mechanisms and think we handle it all very well, but it still takes it's toll on us whether we think it does or not.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Going to take the FBAT test tomorrow at 12:30, any prayers that you may say will be appreciated.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Good luck brother.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Thanks Larry. Hope you are feeling better my friend.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Praying At This Moment, My Brother!:tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Thanks Greg I appreciate it brother.

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Passed the FBAT thank the Lord, and that's one step closer.:tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

:banger:D:tu

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Congratulations!

Re: Possible Career change (again)
 

Okay since I passed the FBAT and went and got the packet to do, I have filled out all the forms. The prospective class members will have to meet on March 17th to do the 1.5 mile run/walk in 19 minutes or less. I was a little apprehensive about this at first, but have been practicing and seems I shouldn't have a hard time making the time.