Our System

Our System at a Glance

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services is a county-based, third-service Advanced Life Support intercept system that has served Sussex County for more than three decades. Established in 1991, SCEMS functions as one of Delaware’s three county ALS agencies, working alongside the county’s combination fire departments and Basic Life Support services to provide paramedic-level care throughout the community. Today, the system operates from 13 paramedic stations, with additional headquarters and special operations resources supporting field response across 964 square miles.

The demands placed on the system are significant and continue to grow. Sussex County has a year-round population of approximately 300,000, but that population can exceed one million during the summer, creating substantial seasonal changes in call volume and deployment needs. SCEMS responds to approximately 34,000 ALS calls annually within a countywide EMS system handling roughly 70,000 calls, and its unit response volume increased by 77% over the ten-year period leading into 2024.

SCEMS is designed as more than a collection of paramedic units. Field personnel are supported by supervision, administration, logistics, information systems, education, quality management, medical direction, specialized teams, and other resources that keep the system prepared for daily operations and large or complex incidents. In 2024 alone, the Logistics Division processed thousands of service and repair requests and more than 41,000 requests for consumable medical supplies, while the fleet traveled nearly 592,000 miles supporting operations throughout the county.

The system is built around a commitment to clinical quality, preparedness, education, innovation, and continuous improvement. SCEMS maintains Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services accreditation and an accredited simulation program through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Its clinical development has included early adoption or implementation of whole blood, video laryngoscopy, mechanical ventilation with BiPAP capability, infusion pumps, standardized PAX response bags, high-performance CPR, ETCO₂ monitoring, and other advancements intended to improve care in the prehospital environment.

That same approach extends beyond equipment and medicine. SCEMS personnel participate in specialized operations, community programs, committees, continuing education, simulation, quality improvement, and collaborative training with fire departments, hospitals, law enforcement, aviation, and other public safety partners. The system provided ALS support for 183 mass gatherings, public education events, Honor Guard assignments, and Presidential visits in 2024, representing more than 2,400 personnel hours outside routine emergency response.

At its core, the Sussex County EMS system is built around the people who provide and support the service. Facilities, vehicles, equipment, technology, committees, and specialized programs all exist to maintain a constant state of readiness and give paramedics the resources needed to deliver high-quality care. The standard that connects those pieces is reflected in the department’s longstanding motto: “Caring People, Quality Service.”