EMS 3 Probation FAQs
What is probation, exactly?
Probation is your runway. It's the time we use to train you, evaluate you, and integrate you into the crew — and the time you use to learn whether EMS3 is the right fit for you. You'll work alongside experienced providers, complete required certifications, demonstrate that you can deliver safe patient care, and learn how the department operates day-to-day.
We think of probation in two phases:
First 30 days — orientation and onboarding. You complete administrative requirements, certifications, and an assessment before you ride.
Days 31–180 — active duty under evaluation. Once you're "Turned Over to Ride," you respond to calls as part of a duty crew while continuing to be evaluated by officers and senior members.
How long is the probationary period?
A minimum of 180 days (about six months). The clock starts when you're accepted as a new member. Probation ends when the membership votes you in as a full member after you've completed all required training, attendance, and evaluations — not on a fixed calendar date.
What do I have to complete in my first month?
Before you can ride on an ambulance, you must complete the following:
EMS3 Membership Orientation
Ambulance Show & Tell scheduled with a mentor, officer, or member
CPR / Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association
FEMA ICS courses — ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
Written Cleared-To-Ride Test in TargetSolutions
Three self-directed ambulance check-offs with a member or mentor
Oral Ambulance Assessment with a preceptor (an officer or training leader)
Ten documented sets of vital signs, each initialed and dated by a member.
Plan on roughly 10 hours of training time during these first weeks, on top of meetings and drills.
What meetings and drills are required?
Monthly Department Business Meeting — 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:30 PM, at Fire Station 3.
Bi-monthly drills — 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Attendance at meetings and drills is not optional during probation. Missing three business meetings in a row without a valid excuse, or six drills in a row without a valid excuse, will result in dismissal from the department and a one-year wait before you can reapply.
What rules apply specifically to probationary members?
A few station rules apply only to probationary members. The most important ones:
You must vacate department property by 23:00 unless you have prior permission from the Deputy Chief.
You may begin riding only after completing the first-month administrative requirements.
Sleeping in at the station on weekends is not allowed until you've reached riding status, and even then it requires permission from an officer.
You may not use department equipment or supplies to wash personal vehicles without an officer's permission.
You will not ride over a senior member unless you're part of a scheduled duty crew.
You generally may not drive any department vehicle. Only the Department Chief can authorize an exception.
All members — probationary or otherwise — are also expected to be respectful and professional with patients, fellow members, and the public, and to comply with the department's zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol and its annual sexual harassment training requirement.
What can get me dismissed during probation?
A probationary member can be dropped from the division for:
Being suspended while on probation (results in a one-year reapplication wait).
Failing to complete required training or certifications within the probationary period.
Missing three consecutive business meetings or six consecutive drills without a valid excuse.
Violations of department rules, including conduct issues, harassment, or drug/alcohol policy violations.
If you're dropped during probation, you'll need to wait one year before reapplying.
How does probation end?
Probation doesn't end automatically at the 180-day mark. It ends when:
You've satisfied the 180-day minimum,
You've completed all required training, certifications, evaluations, and attendance, and
The membership votes you in as a full member.
Once you're voted in, you'll move from the probationary GroupMe channel to the general membership channel and gain access to additional training privileges as a full member.
What happens after I become a full member?
You're not done learning — you're just done with probation! As a full member, you remain subject to ongoing training requirements. For example, before the department will accept an application for a training or refresher course, you generally need to complete at least 10 hours per month for four consecutive months as part of a duty crew.
What happens after I'm cleared to ride?
Once you pass the Oral Assessment and the written Cleared-To-Ride test, you're "Turned Over to Ride" and can begin running calls as a probationary member of a duty crew. You'll be paired with experienced EMS providers — you won't be on your own. You'll continue to attend meetings, drills, and trainings, and your performance on calls will be observed by the officers and senior members you ride with.
Who will train me, and who do I report to?
You'll work with several people during probation:
A mentor or assigned senior member for day-to-day questions, ride-alongs, and ambulance familiarization.
A preceptor (an officer or training leader) who administers your Oral Ambulance Assessment.
Officers, including the Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief, who oversee training approvals, schedule decisions, and probationary status.
The Department Chief, who has authority over specific exemptions (for example, driving department vehicles).
You're encouraged to ask any member any question at any time. Everyone here started as a new member, and questions are part of how we train.
What can get me dismissed during probation?
A probationary member can be dropped from the division for:
Being suspended while on probation (results in a one-year reapplication wait).
Failing to complete required training or certifications within the probationary period.
Missing three consecutive business meetings or six consecutive drills without a valid excuse.
Violations of department rules, including conduct issues, harassment, or drug/alcohol policy violations.
If you're dropped during probation, you'll need to wait one year before reapplying.
How does probation end?
Probation doesn't end automatically at the 180-day mark. It ends when:
You've satisfied the 180-day minimum,
You've completed all required training, certifications, evaluations, and attendance, and
The membership votes you in as a full member.
Once you're voted in, you'll move from the probationary GroupMe channel to the general membership channel and gain access to additional training privileges as a full member.
What happens after I become a full member?
You're not done learning — you're just done with probation! As a full member, you remain subject to ongoing training requirements. For example, before the department will accept an application for a training or refresher course, you generally need to complete at least 10 hours per month for four consecutive months as part of a duty crew.
