Education & Training

Becoming certified is only the beginning of a career at Sussex County EMS. SCEMS paramedics maintain a comprehensive set of clinical, operational, and safety certifications. Throughout an employee’s career, those requirements are reinforced through continuing education, simulation, and recertification.

Becoming a Nationally Registered Paramedic

The foundation of paramedic practice begins with extensive education and training. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) requires initial paramedic candidates to successfully complete an appropriately accredited paramedic education program before becoming eligible for the National Registry Paramedic examination. This education combines classroom instruction, laboratory and hands-on skills, clinical experiences, field education, and demonstrated competencies across the scope of prehospital care. Rather than establishing one universal number of educational hours, the National Registry pathway is based on successful completion of an approved education program and demonstration of entry-level competency.

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Required Credentials

SCEMS paramedics maintain the state, national, and agency required credentials and clinical certifications required to practice at the Advanced Life Support level. These requirements establish the foundation for safe, consistent, and evidence-based paramedic care and staff are supported in obtaining and maintaining these credentials.

ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 & IS-15
National Registry Paramedic (NRP)
Delaware BOMP Paramedic License
Valid Driver’s License
Emergency Vehicle Operator (EVO)
AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
AHA Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR)
AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
NAEMT Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
NAEMT Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
NAEMT EMS Safety
Defensive Driving
Hazmat Awareness

Advanced & Career-Based Certifications

As personnel progress through their careers, additional certifications and specialized training may be required or pursued based on assignment, position, or professional interest. These opportunities allow employees to expand their capabilities in clinical care, education, leadership, specialty operations, and other areas of EMS.

Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s degrees
ICS 300, 400, & additional FEMA courses
Basic & Advanced Public Information Officer (PIO)
Infection Control
SCBA Qualification
HazMat Technician
CDL Class A/B
IPMBA — Bike Team
TMP & required physical qualification — TEMS
AHA ACLS, PALS, and BLS Instructor
NAEMT PHTLS, Safety & TECC Instructorships
VFIS Vehicle Driving & ATV Instructor

Paramedic Practice in Delaware

Delaware’s EMS system has a relatively distinct structure. At the prehospital provider level, the state’s system is built around Basic Life Support (EMT) and Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) care rather than using intermediate field levels such as AEMT or EMT-Intermediate as part of its standard statewide response model. Paramedic practice is governed by Title 16, Chapter 98 of the Delaware Code, which establishes the statewide paramedic system under the Delaware Office of Emergency Medical Services and requires ALS care to operate under physician medical oversight and statewide treatment protocols. To enter Delaware’s paramedic certification process, a Nationally Registered Paramedic must first be affiliated with a Delaware-approved ALS provider agency and meet the education and certification requirements of OEMS and the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. In practice, Delaware’s traditional 911 paramedic system is centered on the three county paramedic services—Sussex, Kent, and New Castle Counties—with additional approved ALS roles/services such as Delaware State Police Aviation and authorized interfacility/flight programs operating within the state system. Because agency affiliation is required, holding National Registry Paramedic certification alone does not independently authorize someone to practice as a Delaware paramedic; the provider must complete Delaware’s certification process and maintain the required Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (BOML/BOMP) paramedic credential and agency medical oversight.

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Investing in Our People

Professional development at Sussex County EMS continues throughout a paramedic’s career. Our goal is to provide personnel with opportunities to maintain clinical proficiency, develop new skills, pursue higher education, expand professionally, and prepare for future roles within the organization.

We want staff to build a career with SCEMS, not simply work a job. Our culture encourages our people to continually grow, learn, and improve throughout their time with the department. Whether that growth is clinical, educational, operational, or toward future leadership, our goal is to provide the opportunities and support that allow each employee to become a stronger professional over the course of their career.

Simulation & Medical Director Recertification

Every SCEMS paramedic participates in annual simulation-based training with our Simulation Team. These sessions provide realistic opportunities to practice high-risk and complex patient encounters in an environment designed for learning, teamwork, and improvement.

Personnel also complete biannual Medical Director recertification, providing another opportunity to demonstrate clinical competency and maintain the standards expected within the SCEMS system.

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Monthly Continuing Education

All four shifts participate in dedicated monthly continuing education throughout the year. These sessions allow paramedics to recertify required skills, refresh knowledge, learn new clinical practices, review changes in medicine, and participate in hands-on training.

Topics evolve with the needs of our providers and system, allowing continuing education to remain relevant to the challenges our paramedics encounter in the field.

Field Training Officers

Professional development continues between formal training days. SCEMS has approximately 20 Field Training Officers (FTOs) who serve as experienced resources for personnel during regular field operations.

FTOs support on-shift education, reinforce clinical and operational expectations, assist with skill development, and help translate classroom education into everyday patient care.

National Fire Academy

Personnel may also pursue development opportunities through the National Fire Academy, where courses expose students to national perspectives on leadership, management, emergency services, community risk, and organizational development.

These opportunities allow employees to learn alongside emergency-service professionals from across the country and bring new ideas and perspectives back to Sussex County.

Delaware State Fire School & DEMA

Professional development at SCEMS extends beyond traditional EMS education. Personnel have access to training through the Delaware State Fire School and Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), providing opportunities to strengthen skills in incident management, hazardous materials, rescue operations, emergency preparedness, disaster response, leadership, and other public safety disciplines.

These programs help our paramedics better understand the larger emergency response system and prepare them to work alongside fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and other public safety partners during both everyday incidents and large-scale emergencies.

Conferences & National Education

SCEMS supports opportunities for personnel to learn from leaders and organizations shaping the future of prehospital medicine. Staff may attend professional conferences such as EMS World Expo, the NAEMSP Annual Meeting, and the Gathering of Eagles, along with other regional and national educational events.

Conference participation provides exposure to emerging research, clinical practices, technology, system design, and innovative approaches being used throughout EMS—and creates opportunities for our personnel to bring that knowledge home.

Higher Education & Tuition Reimbursement

Professional growth can also continue in the classroom. SCEMS personnel pursue education ranging from professional certificates and associate degrees through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral-level programs.

Sussex County supports eligible employees pursuing higher education through tuition reimbursement of 75% of the cost of an approved course, up to $1,500 per fiscal year. This support helps employees continue their education while building knowledge that can benefit both their careers and the organization.

Learning Management System

SCEMS utilizes a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS) via Prodigy to provide personnel with year-round access to education and professional development. The system supports online coursework, continuing education, required training, competency tracking, and documentation of completed education.

The LMS allows learning to continue beyond scheduled classroom and simulation days while giving personnel a centralized location to complete assignments, review educational content, and track their ongoing development and training requirements.