The best thing you can do is look around at your community colleges. In my experience, not a whole lot of 4 year universities offer a paramedic or fire science program. Generally, your junior colleges or community colleges will offer an associates in both fire science and paramedicine. Paramedicine is a little bit different of a program, and at least where I come from, very competetive to get into. You can declare that major easily, but in many cases you have to go to apply to a hospital and get accepted. That’s the tought part. Other classes they’ll make your take are anatomy courses, usually some kind of management class (Why, i don’t really know…leadership?), and you basic gen eds.

An associates in fire science is much easier. You have a required list of classes regarding fire fighting, and then a list of electives to choose from regarding the same. Then, your gen eds. It’s much less demanding and competetive. The only thing is (again, where I come from in IL), an associates doesn’t make you a fire fighter. You still need to go to a Firefighter academy. That’s the competetive part, since you generally need a department to sponsor you on their insurance and give you the gear.

Regardless, start by getting your EMT-B license. You can’t apply to medic school without it, and most departments won’t even look at you unless you have at least your B. Again, those are most likely found at your junior or community colleges.

Salary all depends on the community. Usually city firefighters don’t make a whole lot to start…generally 40K up here. If you work for a poorer neighborhood, you’ll usually start a little lower. If you’re part of a rich community, you can often start as high as 60K and top out at 80K not including overtime…

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP AT IT!

Depends on where you live, ask your school counselor. My school has an excellent paramedic / fire fighter program at Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut, CA

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