My Journey to Becoming an EMT in New York City
When I first decided to become an EMT in New York, I had no idea what I was getting myself into – but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
Getting Started with Training
I started looking into EMT training programs around the city, and there were actually quite a few options. I ended up enrolling at a community college in Queens that offered a state-approved EMT-Basic certification course. The program ran for about 14 weeks, with classes twice a week in the evenings and all day on Saturdays. It cost me around $1,200, which wasn’t too bad compared to some of the private programs I’d seen that were charging upwards of $2,000.
The coursework was intense – we covered everything from CPR and basic life support to trauma care and medical emergencies. The hands-on training was my favorite part. We practiced on dummies, learned how to properly immobilize patients, and ran through countless scenarios. I won’t lie, the first time I had to practice inserting an airway adjunct, my hands were shaking like crazy.
After finishing the course, I had to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. I studied for about three weeks straight, using practice tests and flashcards. The day of the exam, I was a nervous wreck, but I passed on my first try. Then I had to apply for my New York State EMT certification, which took another few weeks to process.
The Job Hunt
Finding my first EMT job was easier than I expected. New York City always needs EMTs – the demand is pretty high. I applied to several places: hospital-based EMS services, private ambulance companies, and even the FDNY EMS.
I landed my first gig at a private ambulance company in Brooklyn. The interview was straightforward – they asked about my training, why I wanted to be an EMT, and how I’d handle stressful situations. They hired me on the spot and told me to start the following Monday for orientation.
The starting salary was about $17 per hour, which came out to roughly $35,000 a year working full-time for more info check EMT Salary. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was a start. I knew that if I wanted to make more money down the line, I could eventually become a paramedic or transition into hospital work, where the pay is better.
Finding a Place to Live
Now, finding an affordable place to live in New York on an EMT salary – that was the real challenge. I quickly realized that living in Manhattan was out of the question unless I wanted five roommates in a shoebox apartment.
I started looking in the outer boroughs and found a studio condo in the Bronx for about $1,400 a month. It was small – maybe 400 square feet – but it was mine, and it was only a 30-minute commute to work. Some of my coworkers were renting rooms in shared apartments for around $800 to $1,000 a month, which definitely helped them save money.
I had to budget carefully. After rent, utilities, groceries, and my MetroCard, I didn’t have a ton left over. But I made it work. I meal-prepped on Sundays, brought my lunch to work, and learned to find free stuff to do around the city.
Life on the Job
My first few months on the job were a whirlwind. I worked 12-hour shifts, usually three or four days a week. Some days we’d run 15 calls, other days maybe six or seven. I saw everything – heart attacks, car accidents, diabetic emergencies, overdoses, and plenty of what we called “frequent flyers” who called 911 regularly.
The work was exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but it was also incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of helping someone on their worst day, of making a real difference in someone’s life.
Looking Back
Starting out as an EMT in New York wasn’t easy, and the pay definitely isn’t great for the cost of living. But the experience I gained was invaluable. I learned to stay calm under pressure, think on my feet, and work as part of a team. Plus, it opened doors for me – after two years, I got accepted into a paramedic program, and now I’m making close to $55,000 a year.
If you’re thinking about becoming an EMT in New York, my advice is this: go for it, but go in with your eyes open. It’s hard work, the hours can be brutal, and you won’t get rich doing it. But if you genuinely want to help people and you’re looking for a career that’s never boring, you won’t regret it.