Sen. Chuck Schumer is calling for the inspector general of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct an immediate federal probe into the background checks conducted on new and transferred employees at nuclear plans throughout the country, as well as the commission's procedures for monitoring current employees.

The effort came about after it was reported that Sharif Mobley, a New Jersey man with ties to al-Qaada, is suspected of shooting and killing a security agent and severely injuring another person while trying to flee the Republican Hospital in Sanaa, Yemen. Mobley had reportedly worked at five nuclear sites.

"This case clearly shows that we need a thorough review of the NRC's background check procedures and better monitoring of employees at nuclear plants," Schumer said. "We simply cannot tolerate at any time having someone with terrorist ties working at a nuclear plant, period. It seems like common sense but clearly we need to tighten up the system."

Mobley worked at nuclear reactors in Salem and Hope Creek New Jersey, as well as other areas of the state. Those nuclear plants are operated by Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., which noted Mobley worked as a laborer from 2002 to 2008, for several weeks at a time during refueling outages.

Mobley underwent background checks as recent as 2008. The NRC's current checks include criminal history, employment history, a psychological assessment and behavioral observation. However, the organization delegates the authority to complete background checks, resulting in a certain degree of disparity in how the checks are performed and what information is included.

The current system does not uncover information regarding past travel and ties with other countries. Schumer noted that there have been previous reports of problems with NRC's background check policies.

During February, the inspector general released a report critical of the organization's personnel security clearance program for employees. That report found the "NRC's personnel security clearance program lacks sufficient management controls and oversight to measure the program's efficiency and assign accountability for the program's performance."

Paramedics with the FDNY can expect to earn a starting salary of about $37,346, with that salary to increase almost every year for five years. Paramedics will earn about $41,139 after one year; $42,818 after two years; $47,233 after three years; and $50,501 after five years.

In addition, employees get to choose from a wide variety of healthcare plans with family coverage and prescription, dental and eye care benefits. Paramedics can expect to get three weeks of vacation starting out and five weeks of vacation after eight years. The FDNY also offers pension benefits, a 401K, flexible spending plans and promotional opportunities.

In order to become a paramedic with the FDNY, you must be at least 18-years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a valid New York State Department of Health EMS-Paramedic certificate and have a motor vehicle driver's license valid in New York state. Applicants also are encouraged to take the open-competitive civil service exam for the EMS-EMT & EMS-Paramedic titles.

Occasionally, the FDNY arranges for the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services to conduct open-competitive filing for EMT and paramedic titles. It can take one to two years from the time an applicant files before they gain permanent civil service status.

Paramedics and EMTs have a great potential for promotion within the FDNY. Those who pass the civil service test and obtain permanent civil service status will be qualified to take the Promotion to Firefighter exam. Anyone who passes both the written and physical portions of that test will be placed on the Promotion List for Firefighter.

Once placed on the list, candidates must pass a medical and psychological exam. Applicants from this list are chosen above those on the open competitive list.