Pros
1. 100% locally owned and operated. The owners live in the community, so they care about the community. This is the only job I've had where the direct owner is actually interested and invested in the lives of new employees. 2. Huge emphasis on safety. The only private company in the Bay Area that uses 100% power cots on their ambulances. The only private company in the Bay Area with auto loads on (some, not all) ambulances. 3. They make sure employees look and feel good by providing proper uniforms. Sturdy 511 uniforms with matching, layered jackets. Best dressed EMT's in the area. 4. A real commitment to integrity. Every company I've worked for has talked a big talk, NorCal is the only company I've worked for that actually puts effort into quality training, equipment, and patient care. 5. Employees step up, not over. Most of the people who leave are leaving for jobs in the fire department, or nursing school, or PD, or PA school. It's incredibly rare to see someone lateral over to a competitor. There's a strong effort to build EMT's into a successful career and to see them advance to something greater. 6. They accommodated my change in schedule when I started medic school. I was able to keep full-time hours working 24-hour shifts, while being a full-time medic student through my didactic and clinicals. I've never had an employer so easily recognize that I had a life off the clock, and be proud to support me through it.
Cons
I have a long career history in different industries. This is the best employer I've had the pleasure to work for, and alongside some of the most amazing and heroic first responders I've ever met. I feel entirely blessed that I was able to begin a medical career with a company where I had amazing mentors; it was just kind of a lucky strike for me. If I had started with another company, I doubt I'd be anywhere near as skillful and confident in EMS as I am today.