Hi,

Well to answer question in a nutshell, it can be the greatest experience of your life or the worst. So much depends on you the person. I choose to be a paramedic as a volunteer, my "real" job is working in a biomedical research lab where I have been for over 25 years and for me a career change as this point in my life is not practical. As far as being career vs. volunteer, there is NO difference in the training, continuing educational requirements or professionalism. My volunteer partner on the medic unit is a career medic in another county. Career EMT's, paramedic or firefighters have an advantage in that they have more of an opportunity to hone their day-to-day skills quicker than I can. On the other hand, many in the emergency services field have and do become "burned out" quicker. Although, I do not have any hard figures, my experience is that marital/divorce tends to be higher that the general public (again in my experience, not me personally, I have been married 23 years). I do what I do because I have a need in my life to help others that is what fulfills me as a person. I spend at least 50 to 60 hours a month between the medic unit and the technical rescue team I am on. My wife/family are very supportive, although I have missed many of my daughters' (I have 3) important events, i.e. proms, sporting events (they are swimmers), school events, I know they would not want me to give up what I do, in fact they too have picked up the "bug" of helping people. The older two are lifeguards; the oldest teaches CPR, First Aid and Life guarding classes. Both of the older ones have accompanied me on trips to Ecuador on medical missions. As to the education, I can only address here in the US. For EMT-B's, most jurisdictions/states sponsors Department of Transportation (DOT) approved classes, I believe it is around 120+ hours (I took my original EMT in 1976 and some hours have been added); there is also an EMT-I level, which is closer to paramedic training, in terms of skills. Most paramedic level training now requires at least two years of college, in some areas four and is generally 300+ hours over and above the 120+ hours for EMT-B level training. Paramedics are considered the highest level of pre-hospital care provider, second only to physicians, we have no standing within (at least in Maryland) the hospital proper. In Maryland paramedics are licensed by the state, as opposed to being certified, as are EMT-Bs. I have to go now, but will be happy to answer or consult with you in way possible. Pete