Ride-Along Program
As part of their training, persons involved in the delivery of emergency services are offered the
opportunity to ride-along with the Logan City Fire Department response units. A ride-along is a
chance to ride on a fire or medical apparatus and watch as firefighters, paramedics and EMT's
perform their duties.
The safety and well-being of our personnel, facilities, and constituents is our first priority.
Therefore, strict adherence to the following instructions is necessary in order to safeguard
participants and to minimize the possibility of interference with normal departmental activities.
Failure to comply with the following may result in the denial or termination of the request for a
ride-along.
Steps to Request a Ride-Along
Step 1
Obtain a Ride-Along Request Packet from the Logan City Fire Department. These packets are kept in
the secretaries office at station 70, 76 East 200 North Logan, Utah 84321 or may be downloaded
here. The packet includes:
This request EXPIRES 30 days from the date the ride-along packet was mailed or issued.
Step 2
Obtain the Criminal History Record review following the instructions provided. IMPORTANT: Have the
records sent directly to Logan Fire Department “Attn Chief Mark Meaker”. We accept no
responsibility for records lost or misplaced in the mail.
Candidates whose fingerprints result in an Official Utah Computerized Criminal History Report that
verifies "No Criminal Record Found" shall be allowed to participate in a ride-along
(unless otherwise countermanded by the Fire Chief who retains full discretion in this matter) so
long as he or she fully complies with all other department “Ride-Along Policies".
Candidates whose Utah Computerized Criminal History Report verifies a past criminal record must be
brought to the attention of Logan City Fire Department Administration prior to the scheduled
Ride-Along for further evaluation by the Fire Chief and/or other delegated senior management staff
before approval or denial of the request is made.
Normally, absent special mitigating circumstances or information, the department will reject
candidates for ride-alongs of any kind if they have been arrested or arrested and convicted for
theft, robbery, a violent crime, or drug, alcohol or other substance abuse. In exercising this
discretion, the department will place the safety and well-being of its personnel, facilities, and
constituents ahead of the need for the candidate to secure the ride-along. No candidate that is
evaluated as posing a significant potential risk shall be allowed to participate in the ride-along
program. In cases where no significant potential risk is assessed, Captains or OIC shall
nonetheless be advised of the ride-along's criminal history where they are being allowed to
participate in the ride along program.
Step 3
Schedule a Ride-Along date and time with the Logan City Fire Department secretary at 716-9517. The
time and date you sign up for shall be your only scheduled ride-along unless it is changed by the
Fire Department. In the event the apparatus cannot safely accommodate a ride-along, or other
unforeseen circumstances arise, it may be necessary to reschedule your ride-along.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify the fire station as soon as possible.
Step 4
Read and be familiar with the Ride-Along Policy
Step 5
Report to the Fire Department at your assigned date and time. Please enter the front door and come
to the department secretaries office. If the door is locked ring the front door bell, state your
business and ask for the Captain on duty. If the fire station is empty, you may wait for the crews
to return. (Do not go in the station.).
Keep in mind that most parking around the station is three-hour parking. The fire department is
not responsible for any citations. Do not park in the "Fire Department Only" parking
areas without obtaining a parking pass from the department secretary.
Step 6
A "Declaration of Assumption of Risk" document must be signed at the fire station before
you ride along.
Ride-Alongs will sign all forms provided by the Fire Department. The forms will be submitted when
you first report for your ride-along. Failure to do so may terminate your ride-along. Forms shall
be kept on file by the department secretary.
Ride-Alongs will be issued a reflective vest compliant with current DOT and ANSI regulations and a
fanny pack containing Gloves, Eye protection, and mask.
Step 7
When the ride along-period is over, inform the Captain that you are leaving and have the
Captain or OIC fill out and initial the Record of Ride-Along Form for your records (original goes
to ride-along copy goes to department secretary to be filed chronologically) and return the vest
and fanny pack.
Ride-along period:
Any four hour segment between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
You may not request a ride-along within ninety (90) days of a prior ride-along. EMT students may
have an opportunity to ride more often.
Ride-Along Policies
POLICY: 2-14-01.
It is the policy of the department to allow people involved in delivery of emergency services to
ride with units as part of their training:
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Persons riding along are under the complete control of the captains, the lead paramedic, or the
lead EMT at all times. The on-duty Captain has the authority to terminate any ride-along session
for misbehavior or failure to follow the agreed upon rules.
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The Ride-Along shall wear the reflective vest anytime they leave the station with the crews.
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The Ride-Along shall don Eye protection and gloves prior to leaving the cab of the apparatus.
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While the fanny pack contains a particle mask the Ride-Along should never purposefully be allowed
into an area where the use of this mask would be required.
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The ride-along may not leave the cab at the scene of an incident without instructions from the
captain, the lead paramedic or the lead EMT.
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The ride-along is not to converse with victims or members of the public unless directed to do so.
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Persons riding along shall not interfere with fire or EMS company activities at any time.
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Tape recorders, cameras or other recording devices shall not be permitted.
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Ride-Alongs shall act professionally and think SAFETY AT ALL TIMES during the ride-along period.
If they have a problem of any kind, they should speak to the Captain, OIC or Lead Paramedic
immediately.
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Ride-along participants are NOT allowed in the dormitory or locker room areas of the station, nor
around the fire pole.
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Ride-Alongs will not be left in the station alone. They will go with the apparatus or leave the
station.
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Ride along participants are NOT allowed to use any department TV’s, computers, networks,
other department equipment.
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Persons riding-along shall be physically able to enter and exit an enclosed cab fire engine or
ambulance without assistance and in a manner that will not hinder Fire Department operations. All
persons riding along shall be able to effectively communicate with all Fire Department members.
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No one under the age of 16 will be permitted to ride.
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Non-EMS ride-alongs will ride the squad, engine, truck or staff vehicles but they will not ride
on ambulances unless authorized by the fire chief.
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All ride-alongs shall be scheduled in advance on the station calendar.
Grooming and Dress.
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Hair must be clean, well groomed, neatly trimmed and styled in a manner as to not interfere with
vision or create a safety hazard. Hair that is such that it may interfere as described must be
pulled back and secured in a ponytail. Hairstyles or coloring that would draw attention or appear
as a substantial deviation from the community norm are not acceptable.
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Facial hair is permitted. Beards and mustaches must be neatly trimmed and cannot be of such
length as to interfere with job performance or create a safety hazard.
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Ride-Alongs are not to wear earrings, nose rings, or other facial jewelry while performing
clinical time. Any jewelry that interferes in any way with job performance shall not be worn.
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Sweat pants, shorts, skirts or dresses may not be worn during your ride-along period. Pants must
be clean and of durable material. Pants must be free of holes and must not be faded or baggy.
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Clothing with offensive writing or pictures shall NOT be permitted during the ride-along period.
Failure to abide by this may cause termination of the ride-along. Shirts that display the Logan
City Fire Department logo are not allowed. Shirts must be collared, clean, fit well and be free
of holes.
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Open-toed shoes may not be worn. Shoes with skid-resistant soles are mandatory. Shoes must be
durable and suitable for hiking or other activities.
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Baseball caps are acceptable. The Logan City Fire Department logo cannot be displayed on the hats
nor any slogan which can be interpreted as offensive. Stocking caps can be worn if the weather
conditions warrant their use.
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Professional attire and good hygiene shall be required at all times.
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Paramedic ride-alongs should bring turnout gear if they have it.
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Questionable cases of proper grooming shall be referred to the Duty chief who will make the final
determination.
SCOPE:
This policy covers all ride-alongs including all officers and administrators as indicated below.
RESPONSIBILITY:
It shall be the responsibility of the captain or officer in charge to see that all ride-alongs
adhere to this policy. It shall also be the responsibility of the captain or officer in charge to
see that the "Ride-Along Packet" is properly filled out and signed. It shall be the
responsibility of Weber State Paramedic School to furnish the fire department with a schedule of
their paramedic and pre-paramedic student ride-alongs. The EMT class instructors will then be
responsible to obtain a copy of the schedule and schedule their EMT students to ride on the
particular days assigned to their classes. All others riding along with special permission from the
fire chief or administrative chief shall be scheduled by the administrative secretary or the
administrative chief.