Pros
-Nice ambulances, most are equipped with powerload system. The current fleet is well maintained, and relatively low-mileage. A huge improvement from the rust-bucket 400k+ mile ambulances we had back when I first started in EMS, eleven years ago. -Nice stations -Good equipment. This company does not cut corners on equipment or supplies. -OT and hours are always available. -Uniforms are much nicer and more professional looking than the other EMS companies in Milwaukee. -Management has been recently restructured, and has a lot of new blood. The managers and supervisors are much more approachable, and listen to the staff better than the old guard did. -The new attendance policies and late call policies are great, and are a direct result of the restructured management listening to our feedback. -Training department has been recently restructured, and the new orientation program is excellent. I have been a field trainer for years, and the new associates who are coming in for training shifts are so much better prepared than the classes of previous years. -Marketing organizes morale, welfare, and recreational events for us and our families. These include movie nights, dinners, sporting events, fair/festival tickets, etc... -Benefits are decent. Health insurance is cheap, compared to what the other private companies in Milwaukee charge their associates.
Cons
-Staffing is often short on weekends, especially Sundays. Sometimes it is short on the overnights for weekdays, too. -911 zone has some rough neighborhoods in it. -High call-volume area. You will run hard. -Communication systems are awful. Our PTT network has not worked right since we got rid of the brick-phones and got the "smart" phones. -GPS system fails frequently and/or downloads the wrong call. If you know the city, it isn't really a problem, but if you aren't familiar with the north side of Milwaukee, it can mean trouble. -You have to work with Milwaukee Fire Dept. They are rude, lazy, disrespectful. -You have to work with ER staff at FMLH and Sinai. They are rude, lazy, disrespectful. -High turnover. A lot of good people leave because they get hired by municipalities, or go into nursing etc...