EMS WEEK - Media Invited to Ride with our Paramedics

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930, mebrady@co.pg.md.us

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week is May 20 through May 26 this year and we invite media friends to help us tell our story. The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department invite you to ride-along with our “Everyday Heroes” during a tour of duty. There is no better way to appreciate the day in the life of a paramedic then to put yourself in their shoes. Participants must sign a release form and abide by all professional standards and laws concerning patient privacy (HIPAA).Please contact the Press Information Office, 301-883-7154, to arrange for your ride-along.


Ride-Along participants will be one of the first to ride-along in one of our new Paramedic units. Prince George’s County continues to invest in the overall EMS commitment to excellence by providing equipment and apparatus that is reliable and safe for our providers and patients. New transport units have been delivered and are currently in use. Several new 2011 Freightliner/Wheeled Coach ambulance transport units have been placed in-service at Advanced Life Support/Paramedic Unit stations throughout the County. Thirteen of these units were purchased for just under $3,000,000. These vehicles are the first in our fleet that will meet the EPA 2010 emissions standards by utilizing DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) which is an organic, non-toxic compound made of 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water that, when carefully added to diesel exhaust, helps neutralize emissions.

EMS, it's not just a job, it's a calling.  Members of the media are invited to ride-along with our “Everyday Heroes” during a tour of duty. There is no better way to appreciate the day in the life of a paramedic then to put yourself in their shoes. Please contact the Press Information Office, 301-883-7154, to arrange for your ride-along.

The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department responds to about 130,000 incidents per year. Nearly 80% of these responses are EMS related.

The Department has been charging a transport fee since July 1, 2008.

We have 19 Fire/EMS units that are capable of providing advanced life support care and 41 ambulance transport units staffed by Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians.