From what I recall, every agency does their own thing. I googled the SFPD and the difference between an EMT/paramedic and a regular firefighters station uniform is the EMT/paramedics have red shoulder patches. Beyond that it might be designated on their badges, so you might want to look up a few Nor Cal counties or larger cities to see what they do.
On a national level EMT B (basic) and Paramedics all go through the NREMT system to get licenses and then get additional state licenses to practice in that state, so most people have two patches on each shoulder stating what their rank is.
Also the ambulance itself usually says who's on board, i.e. if it's Advanced Life Support (which is usually at least one paramedic since a lot of what an ALS ambulance does, for instance intubation, can't be performed by EMT Bs on their own in most states) or there are actual Paramedic ambulances as well.
Every agency has to conform to emergency medical supervision - Here are the California EMS Authority regs. All EMS personnel are identified by level of training, as are the rigs they can operate - either BLS or AlS.
I've dispatched fire and EMS for 25 years and these have been the guidelines. I am just east of Sacramento - firmly in Northern California.
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Also the ambulance itself usually says who's on board, i.e. if it's Advanced Life Support (which is usually at least one paramedic since a lot of what an ALS ambulance does, for instance intubation, can't be performed by EMT Bs on their own in most states) or there are actual Paramedic ambulances as well.
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I've dispatched fire and EMS for 25 years and these have been the guidelines. I am just east of Sacramento - firmly in Northern California.
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