Where Can I Work as an EMT?
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) work professionally and volunteer in a number of different spaces.
If you’re just beginning to think about entering the field, this may be news to you. Where an EMT works or is based out of varies with location, region, community, and qualifications, so there are many options depending on your specific details.
EMT Ambulance Services
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 48 percent of paid EMTs and paramedics work in ambulance services. Also known as Ambulance Units, Ambulance Centers, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), these are standalone centers or service hubs where paid or volunteer EMTs are dispatched out of to respond to emergencies. In some parts of the country, each town or city may have their own center; in others, these centers are located regionally. Larger communities may also have multiple centers to serve larger populations or areas. These centers are typically funded by the local government and EMTs and paramedics work in conjunction with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or critical care centers.
The Government and EMTs
The BLS indicates that the second-largest group of EMTs, 29 percent, are employed by local government, excluding educational institutions and hospitals. This may include nationwide aid organizations like FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, county, or other fire departments and township divisions. For example, in New York City, EMTs are members of the fire department and employed by FDNY.
Hospitals and EMTs
A smaller 16 percent of paid EMTs and paramedics are employed by hospitals on the state, local, and private levels. These EMTs operate out of the specific institution they are employed by.
While EMTs may be dispatched out of or employed by any of the above, they can be found in myriad places while working. EMTs are usually on-site at concerts, sporting events, festivals, and other large-scale events in public venues, amusement parks, educational campuses, airports, high-risk work zones, and other places people gather.
