That's unfortunate and somewhat surprising to me -- but I live all the way on the other side of the country! If you're within your scope of practice and not negligent, there shouldn't be an issue; of course, anyone can sue anyone for anything, and all that litigation costs money.
It is not a requirement to have a fire fighter rated as an EMT. I think there are only two stations here that don’t require it.
Sure, it totally depends on where you are. Offhand, I can think of at least three counties here where firefighters must pass the state EMT-B test at the fire academy.
But you are pretty much guranteed a job if you get your paramedic rating. They are in extremely high demand here.
Same here. Notwithstanding the severe competition and the slowdown with hiring due to budgetary shortfalls, a paramedic can still get a job.
My EMT teacher was a fire fighter/paramedic. I will never forget this. He had asked all the minorities to raise their hands. He said APPLY to the fire stations. We need minorities, sorry for all the white people. But minorities have a better rate of being hired.
Gotta love affirmitive action...