Ride Along Program
The best way to understand Sussex County EMS is to experience it firsthand.
Our Ride-Along Program gives individuals an opportunity to see our system in action, meet our paramedics, and gain a better understanding of how advanced life support is delivered throughout Sussex County. Whether you are considering a career with SCEMS, exploring the paramedic profession, or simply want to learn more about who we are and what we do, a ride-along provides a perspective that cannot be gained from a website or job posting alone.
Participants have the opportunity to spend time alongside our field personnel and experience the day-to-day operations of a busy, county-based EMS system. You will see how our paramedics respond, work with our fire and BLS partners, provide advanced patient care, and serve communities across Sussex County.
We want those interested in our organization to know who we are before taking the next step.
Come see the system, meet our people, and experience Sussex County EMS for yourself.
What to Expect
Every shift with Sussex County EMS is different. Your ride-along is an opportunity to experience the everyday operations of our system and spend time with the people who make it work.
- Meet Our Team — Spend time with SCEMS paramedics, supervisors, and other team members. We encourage you to ask questions, learn about their experiences, and get to know the people behind our system.
- Shift Change — See how crews begin and end their shifts, exchange important information, check equipment, and prepare their units for the day ahead.
- Station Life — Experience the time between calls, including training, equipment checks, station responsibilities, and the everyday interactions among our crews.
- Meals & Downtime — Depending on call volume, you may share meals and downtime with the crew. This is often a great opportunity to talk about SCEMS, the paramedic profession, and what a career here is really like.
- Emergency Calls — Observe our paramedics responding to real emergencies and see how advanced life support care is provided in the field.
- Working With Our Partners — See how SCEMS works alongside local fire departments, BLS agencies, law enforcement, communications, hospitals, and other public safety partners.
- A Real Look at the Job — Some shifts are busy and others are quiet. Either way, the goal is to give you an authentic look at the responsibilities, teamwork, and daily life of a Sussex County paramedic.
Before You Ride
To ensure a safe and professional experience, all ride-along participants must meet the following requirements:
- Participants under 18 must have parental approval verified by the SCEMS Operations Manager and may only ride between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- Participants ages 14–16 must be currently enrolled in an appropriate Allied Health or Public Safety Program, or be the child of an employee with whom they will be observing.
- Dress appropriately in clean, professional attire with closed-toe shoes.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and follow all privacy and HIPAA requirements.
- Follow the direction of SCEMS personnel throughout the ride-along.
- Remain professional and respectful when interacting with patients, families, staff, and public safety partners.
- Ride-alongs are subject to approval, staffing, and operational needs and may be modified or canceled when necessary.
- Submit a Ride-Along Request using the application below. All requests must be reviewed and approved before a ride-along can be scheduled.
Additional instructions will be provided once your request has been reviewed and approved.
