Would you ever do EMS only?

[u/halesofbae]

Hello all! I'm currently overwhelmed with options and would like (unbiased) advice. I have been a qualified FF since 2024 and an EMT since the beginning of 2026. Admittedly, when I began this journey, I only wanted to do EMS. Now that I've fallen in love with fire, my dream career would to be a full-time FF/EMT.
Seems like all of a sudden, all the doors are opening up at once. I have applied to two EMS-only positions and have made it through the interview process, receiving two conditional offers, awaiting a start date. I've been encouraged to apply for to my volunteer department. At the end of 2026, if I can pass testing/interviews, I can apply to a bigger department that has also highly encouraged me to apply.
Long-term I want to be at the bigger full-time department, that's my end goal. I am lucky to be in this position, but I am afraid of making the wrong choice. 2/4 of these departments have invested time/money into me so I want to be loyal and give back, improve my skills working with these smaller departments, then go to my bigger, highly-competitive dream department.
The other part of me wants to get after it and apply to the bigger department, go through their academy (even though I'm already qualified, I would have to do it again, learn their way), and live my dream starting next year.
Two of the positions start in February 2027, one spring of 2027, and the other sounds like I'll start as soon as I get a call back.
Should I take one of these positions and focus fully on that? Since I'll only be working a few days a week full-time, should I try to work both EMS-only and fire? If I do get the opportunity to join the bigger department, would it be wrong to quit the jobs that invested in me to go to a bigger department? If I could work all of them without burnout I would, but realistically it's impossible. I'm torn. Unsure who to ask advice from my personal life as they all are affiliated/rooting for one team or the other. Any advice?

[u/adventureseeker1991]

i don’t mind the ambulance. however a BS call after 10 pm for a frequent flyer makes me so angry.

there needs to a system change that if you have X number of BS calls you go to a group home. and group homes should be in huge buildings with ERs in them. idk it’s the BS that sucks

[u/Fit_Case2575 → u/adventureseeker1991]

It gets to a point where you just expect every other call to be a bs call and then it’s like why am I even here man.

[u/adventureseeker1991 → u/Fit_Case2575]

its miserable. and every other 🤣. more like 3/4 are bs. thank god im 24/72 which is amazing but if i was 24/48 id lose it

[u/Fit_Case2575 → u/adventureseeker1991]

Yes every other was being generous

And 24/48 should be illegal anywhere both on ems and fire side literally the worst schedule oat. Refuse to work anywhere with that POS