Our Observer program gives residents interested in joining the Virginia Beach EMS system, or those curious about EMS an opportunity to see our providers in action. Authorized ride-alongs are allowed with a pre-scheduled shift assignment of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. after VBEMS receives an approved criminal background check by the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Convictions of the following automatically disqualifies eligibility for observer ride-alongs.

• Any crime, felony or misdemeanor, involving sexual misconduct.
• Any sexual misconduct that results in being listed on the sexual offender registry or other similar list in Virginia or any other state.
• Felonies involving sexual or physical abuse of children, the elderly, or infirmed, or, misconduct with a child, making or distributing child pornography or sexual display, incest involving a child, or assault on an elderly or infirmed person, or, any felony involving sexual misconduct where the consent is an element of the crime, such as forcible rape.
• Any crime in which the victim is an out-of-hospital patient or a resident of a healthcare facility including abuse, neglect, theft or financial exploitation of a person entrusted to the care or protection of the applicant.
• Serious crimes of violence against persons such as an assault or battery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, murder or attempted murder, manslaughter except involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery of any degree, or arson.
• Serious crimes against property, such as grand larceny, embezzlement, or insurance fraud.
• Any felony, misdemeanor or any crime involving moral turpitude (crimes involving lying, stealing or cheating).
• Any Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor or the Virginia State law equivalent in the last three years.