Pete,

Ha! I can get the training for what we call EMT-CC here in NY for free. It's essentially the NREMT-I/99 curriculum, and would allow me to operate as a full ALS provider here in Nassau County. The only things EMT-CCs can't do that EMT-P's can are surgical airways and RSI, and most volunteer squads don't want the headache of carrying the drugs to allow RSI anyhow. I think EMT-CCs can even do needle circs, so they're not totally helpless for a blown airway.

However, I'm not so sure my wife is about to let me sign up for another nine months of twice a week classes at this point. I also question the usefullness of the cert - if I'm going to do nine months, maybe I should do 14 and get my EMT-P, which I THINK I could get paid for (more likely I'd have to lay out the money and get reimbursed, along with a contract to volunteer for a set number of years). It would also allow me to practice if I ever move out of state!

As a medic, what do you think? Keep in mind that my response area is about six minutes from one hospital, ten from another, and 15 from a level-1 trauma center, so often "scoop and go" is the best option, even for the ALS guys.