Texas EMS & Fire Department Ride-Along Directory
Thinking about a career in EMS or firefighting? A ride-along is one of the best ways to see what the job is really like. Below is a directory of agencies across Texas that offer civilian ride-along programs.
We’ve compiled this list to help you connect with fire departments and EMS agencies across the state. Agencies with confirmed online applications are marked with a ONLINE FORM badge. Those offering ride-alongs through a Citizens Fire Academy are marked with ACADEMY.
Not seeing your area listed? Search the internet for the name of the EMS agency, ambulance service, or fire department in your area. Look for their non-emergency contact phone number and ask if they allow people interested in the profession to ride along for a shift. Most agencies are happy to accommodate!
Central Texas – Austin Area
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Fire Department | Austin | Website | — | Ride-outs 12:30–10 PM. Must be 18+. Submit request 2 weeks in advance. Once per quarter. Email FireRideOuts@austintexas.gov for current application. |
| Austin-Travis County EMS | Austin | Website | — | Rider/Observer Program for Field and Communications. Explorer Post 247 (ages 14–21). Contact ATCEMS directly for current ride-along application. |
| Cedar Park Fire Department ONLINE FORM | Cedar Park | Apply / Info | 512-401-5220 | Must be 18+. Call 512-401-5222 for scheduling. |
| Round Rock Fire Department ONLINE FORM | Round Rock | Apply / Info | 512-218-5590 | Online ride-along form available. |
| Williamson County EMS ONLINE FORM | Williamson County | Apply / Info | — | 1 ride/year. Must be 18+. 7+ days advance notice. |
| San Marcos Fire Department ONLINE FORM | San Marcos | Apply / Info | — | Must be 18+. Background check required. |
| North Hays County EMS | Dripping Springs | Website | — | Must be 18+. Email name and reason for ride-along. |
| Leander Fire Department | Leander | Website | 512-528-2848 | Station tours with 14 days notice. Contact directly about ride-alongs. |
Austin Fire Department
Austin
Ride-outs 12:30–10 PM. Must be 18+. Submit request 2 weeks in advance. Once per quarter. Email FireRideOuts@austintexas.gov for current application.
Austin-Travis County EMS
Austin
Rider/Observer Program for Field and Communications. Explorer Post 247 (ages 14–21). Contact ATCEMS directly.
Cedar Park Fire Department ONLINE FORM
Cedar Park
Must be 18+. Call 512-401-5222 for scheduling.
Round Rock Fire Department ONLINE FORM
Round Rock
Online ride-along form available.
Williamson County EMS ONLINE FORM
Williamson County
1 ride/year. Must be 18+. 7+ days advance notice.
San Marcos Fire Department ONLINE FORM
San Marcos
Must be 18+. Background check required.
Leander Fire Department
Leander
Station tours with 14 days notice. Contact directly about ride-alongs.
San Antonio Area
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Fire Department ONLINE FORM | San Antonio | Apply / Info | (210) 207-7273 | Online application. Citizens Fire Academy with ride-out opportunities. |
San Antonio Fire Department ONLINE FORM
San Antonio
Online application. Citizens Fire Academy with ride-out opportunities.
Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth Fire Department ONLINE FORM | Fort Worth | Apply / Info | 817-392-6800 | Observer Ride Out program. |
| MedStar (Fort Worth EMS) ONLINE FORM | Fort Worth | Apply / Info | — | Online request form. Paramedic students have priority. |
| Dallas Fire Department | Dallas | Website | (214) 670-4633 | Contact directly for ride-along availability. |
| Irving Fire Department ACADEMY | Irving | Contact directly | 972-721-2514 | Citizens Fire Academy (9 wks). Must live/work in Irving. 18+. |
| Grapevine Fire Department ACADEMY | Grapevine | Contact directly | 817-410-4424 | Citizens Fire Academy (9 wks, free). Post-graduation ride-along. |
| Frisco Fire Department ACADEMY | Frisco | Website | — | Citizens Fire Academy (free, 18+). Fire Explorers (grades 9–12). |
| McKinney Fire Department | McKinney | Website | 972-547-2850 | Station tours with 2 weeks notice. |
| Carrollton Fire Rescue | Carrollton | Website | — | 10 business days advance notice required. |
| Arlington Fire Department | Arlington | Website | 817-459-5500 | Station tours and community services. |
| Denton Fire Department | Denton | Website | 940-349-8830 | Station tours and community programs. |
| Garland Fire Department ACADEMY | Garland | Contact directly | 972-781-7100 | Citizens Fire Academy. Must be 18+, Garland resident/worker. |
| Plano Fire Department | Plano | Website | — | Fire Explorers (ages 14–20). Community engagement. |
Fort Worth Fire Department ONLINE FORM
Fort Worth
Observer Ride Out program.
MedStar (Fort Worth EMS) ONLINE FORM
Fort Worth
Online request form. Paramedic students have priority.
Dallas Fire Department
Dallas
Contact directly for ride-along availability.
Irving Fire Department ACADEMY
Irving
Citizens Fire Academy (9 wks). Must live/work in Irving. 18+.
Grapevine Fire Department ACADEMY
Grapevine
Citizens Fire Academy (9 wks, free). Post-graduation ride-along.
Frisco Fire Department ACADEMY
Frisco
Citizens Fire Academy (free, 18+). Fire Explorers (grades 9–12).
Garland Fire Department ACADEMY
Garland
Citizens Fire Academy. Must be 18+, Garland resident/worker.
Houston Area
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Fire Department | Houston | Website | 832-394-6633 | Contact Public Affairs Division. |
| Sugar Land Fire Department ACADEMY | Sugar Land | Website | — | Citizens Fire Academy (8 wks with ride-out). |
| Pearland Fire Department ACADEMY | Pearland | Website | 281-997-5852 | Citizens Fire Academy. Contact for ride-alongs. |
| League City Fire Department | League City | Contact directly | 281-554-1465 | Station tours (weekends OK). Tuesdays reserved for training. |
| Montgomery County ESD 9 ONLINE FORM | Conroe | Apply / Info | — | Civilian Ride-Along and Observer Program. |
Sugar Land Fire Department ACADEMY
Sugar Land
Citizens Fire Academy (8 wks with ride-out).
Pearland Fire Department ACADEMY
Pearland
Citizens Fire Academy. Contact for ride-alongs.
League City Fire Department
League City
Station tours (weekends OK). Tuesdays reserved for training.
North and Central Texas
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherford Fire Department ONLINE FORM | Weatherford | Apply / Info | 817-598-4292 | Must be 18+. Application requires notarized signature. |
| Hurst Fire Department ACADEMY | Hurst | Website | — | Citizens Fire Academy (10 wks). Includes ride-out. |
Weatherford Fire Department ONLINE FORM
Weatherford
Must be 18+. Application requires notarized signature.
East Texas
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Health East Texas EMS | Tyler | Contact directly | (903) 535-5800 | Large EMS system (50+ ambulances). Contact directly. |
UT Health East Texas EMS
Tyler
Large EMS system (50+ ambulances). Contact directly.
South Texas and Rio Grande Valley
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville Fire Department | Brownsville | Contact directly | 956-548-6075 | Paramedic and VIP ride-alongs. Chief Sheldon: 956-337-3917. |
| Corpus Christi Fire Department | Corpus Christi | Website | (361) 826-3900 | Contact directly for ride-along availability. |
| Laredo Fire Department | Laredo | Website | (956) 795-2528 | Contact directly for ride-along availability. |
Brownsville Fire Department
Brownsville
Paramedic and VIP ride-alongs. Chief Sheldon: 956-337-3917.
Corpus Christi Fire Department
Corpus Christi
Contact directly for ride-along availability.
Laredo Fire Department
Laredo
Contact directly for ride-along availability.
West Texas
| Agency | City | Website / Form | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Angelo Fire Department | San Angelo | Website | 325-657-4355 | Ride-along program available. |
| El Paso Fire Department | El Paso | Website | (915) 212-5699 | Explorer Post 2911 youth program. |
| Midland Fire Department ACADEMY | Midland | Contact directly | 432-685-7332 | Citizens Fire Academy (Spring/Fall). Contact for ride-alongs. |
| Lubbock Fire Rescue | Lubbock | Contact directly | 806-775-2632 | Contact directly for ride-along availability. |
| Amarillo Fire Department | Amarillo | Contact directly | 806-378-9360 | Station tours via Community Event Request Form. |
Midland Fire Department ACADEMY
Midland
Citizens Fire Academy (Spring/Fall). Contact for ride-alongs.
Ride-Along Behavioral Expectations
- Be on time. Crews start their shifts on a schedule. Showing up late makes a poor first impression on the people who may one day be your coworkers.
- Dress appropriately and cover any visible tattoos. Many agencies require this, so plan ahead and present yourself professionally.
- You are strictly an observer. You will NOT be permitted to provide any patient care during the ride-along. This is for your safety and the safety of patients.
- Bring your own lunch. EMS can be unpredictable and crews may not have time to stop. Come prepared.
- Follow all instructions from the crew. They are responsible for your safety while you are with them.
- Maintain patient confidentiality. Everything you see and hear on calls is private. No photos, no social media, no sharing details.
A Note on Criminal History
Typically, ride-along participants cannot have any criminal convictions. If you have questions about how a criminal history may affect your ability to pursue a career in EMS, check with your state’s EMS regulatory agency. In Texas, that is the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). You can find answers here: DSHS EMS Criminal History Information
We’re Here to Help
At EMTS Academy, we’re passionate about helping people start their journey into EMS. If you have any questions about ride-alongs, training programs, or getting started in the profession, don’t hesitate to reach out.