My freshman is very happy to have been accepted. They have a meeting at the start of next semester, but until then I was curious what kind of shifts are generally given at various schools. He was used to 12 hour shifts. Not sure if collegiate EMS is more likely to have shorter shifts?
Are you asking about working EMS for a college, or are you asking about working EMS for a community EMS?
They don’t need to wait until the start of next semester to find out the types of shifts and obligations these services require. Ask now.
My freshman is very happy to have been accepted
accepted to college, or accepted as an EMS volunteer?
Asking about working for the college EMS, he has first meeting when they get back next semester. Just found out yesterday he was accepted and I’m being impatient to know more, so was curious what various schools do.
Did your kid ask this question about hours and shifts when he applied? Maybe he did! Ask.
You have posted this in the premed forum. I will suggest that 12 hour shifts would not be the best plan for someone needing to be alert, in attendance at classes, etc as a premed.
I doubt that they work 12 hour shifts. My kid only worked 8 hour shifts working regular EMS…but some were overnights.
Don’t worry! I’m sure your student will manage this!!
And thank you to him for doing this very important job.
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I’m living aboard and on a major time change so awaiting response to my question. I swear he said 12 hours, asked long ago, that just seems so surprising to me.
I’ll put a positive spin on this. If his 12 hour shift is any time between 7 pm Friday and ending by 7pm Sunday, he will be fine!
And if he is premed, this is a good way to see if he can balance working long shifts with the rest of his life!
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Ha, he just responded. It’s one 12 hour (overnight) or two 6 hour day shifts. Agree with you the 12 hour on weekend sounds more manageable, but sounds rough during week. Guessing as a freshman they aren’t getting top pick preferences.
Just wait and see. It sounds like he has considered the options…and feels he can work with them, regardless!
Our son’s rescue squad at college offers both 6 and 12 hour shifts. They are expected to work 36 hours a month, but it is a community agency, though it abuts campus and is staffed by mostly students. He’s there this weekend working a 36 hour shift even though he graduated in 2022.
There can be a lot of downtime between calls. Our son did his homework and studying then. I firmly believe working EMS was one of the most formative aspects of his college career. The real world experiences he had to manage could never be replicated in class.
**Edited to add that EMTs need a good set of shears. If you need a gift for your son I can recommend the brand my son carries at both the rescue squad, and as a tactical medic. He’s a “gear guy” and this brand won out.
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Thanks, that’s very special he’s back, I’m sure they’re appreciative. Good point on downtime. He’s not worried, it’s me ha!
He has Risemart shears, they aren’t expensive, but recommended by certification class he took. Definitely take any recs you have. He packed all his gear in case he was accepted. We had moved abroad and it was expensive to ship. I remember thinking I hope you use these heavy boots. 
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If he doesn’t constantly lose shears you can get him XShears down the road.
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