If you have been trying to get a job as a firefighter, you know that the field is highly competitive. Firefighters enjoy a challenging work environment with good pay and excellent benefits. The El Cajon Fire Department's entry level position is that of Firefighter Paramedic.

PARAMEDIC

Paramedic is the more lengthy of the requirements. There are many prerequisites to fulfill before paramedic school can be applied to. The first of these is EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).

Local community colleges offer this course as a one semester course. Upon successful completion, employment as an EMT for an ambulance company for a period of one year is necessary. Classes in medical terminology and human anatomy are also required.

Once the prerequisites are completed, paramedic school can be applied to. Paramedic school typically consists of school three days a week, eight hours a day for eight months. Following this, there are four 40-hour weeks in a hospital, completed by twenty 24-hour shifts on an ambulance where you are in charge of running calls.

FIREFIGHTER

Although it is possible to receive employment without any firefighting experience, education and experience are highly desirable. To this end, our local community colleges offer both a fire fighting curriculum as well as academies - a chance to learn the basics. In addition to this, there are several local departments that have "Reserves." Being a reserve firefighter is an excellent opportunity to learn the basics and participate in some very good training.

Minimum qualifications for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic

• Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) with the State of California upon application
• EMT-P accreditation with the County of San Diego EMS Office prior to the date of hire
• Pass a written test, physical agility test, oral interviews, background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical examination and drug and alcohol test.
• Experience as both a paramedic and firefighter are highly desirable.