Emergency Medical Services

Sussex County EMS (SCEMS) is a government service which provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedic service to the residents of and visitors to our community. We work closely with fire department-based Basic Life Support (BLS) services, volunteer ambulance services, local hospitals, state and local police, and are a part of the Delaware State-wide Paramedic Program. We are funded through a combination of County and State resources, and do not charge for our services.

Our staff of over 100 paramedics and support personnel serves a 964 square mile area (the largest of Delaware’s three counties) and a year-round population of 163,000. Our summer population increases to half a million as part-time residents and tourists come to enjoy our beautiful Atlantic coast beaches. We are a non-transporting EMS agency and provide paramedic services using eight specially designed ALS rapid response vehicles and two District Supervisors. During the busy summer tourist season, a ninth response unit is added to address the increase in call volume and traffic congestion. Transportation of patients is provided by 21 BLS transport services (with a SCEMS Paramedic on-board if the patient meets ALS criteria), or by ALS helicopter service provided by the Delaware State Police stationed in Sussex County.

Sussex County EMS answers more than 16,000 calls each year. Our paramedics are carefully selected and train regularly, through both a progressive continuing education program and at regional and national seminars and symposia. Our Paramedic Competition Team has competed nationally, and has won Gold and Silver in the prestigious JEMS Games. Our paramedics are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art patient care and communications equipment, and work within an ever-expanding scope of practice using the country’s most progressive treatment protocols.

"Caring People, Quality Service" is not only our slogan but our commitment to excellence. We honor that commitment for each and every patient we are called upon to help.

Glenn Luedtke


Robert Stuart