A Good Partner Is Hard to Find

By Reagan Williams

Let’s face it: EMS is tough, and when your office is the cramped front seat of an ambulance, the person sitting next to you can make or break your shift.

We’ve all been there: bouncing between partners, organizations, and shifts, wondering if the grass is greener elsewhere. But how do you know it’s time for a change? And what does a truly great partner look like?

I can honestly say I've been on both sides of it: The bad partner and the good one. I’ve worked with folks who made me dread clocking in and others who made me look forward to every shift. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the partner dynamic is critical—not just for the day-to-day grind but for your overall love for the job.

A Bad Partner Can Lead to Burnout

Burnout in EMS is rampant—studies show that over half of providers have experienced it. While burnout stems from many factors, your partner plays a huge role. A bad partner can drain you faster than any 12-hour shift.

Attitude is everything. Sure, we all have bad days, but if your partner’s default mode is burnout or negativity, it’s going to seep into your shift. And let’s be real: EMS is already hard enough without that kind of energy.

What Makes a Good Partner?

Whether you're new to EMS, or not you know a bad partner can drain you, but a great partner? They can reinvigorate your love for the job. Here’s what to look for in a partner:

• Clear communication: You need someone who speaks up and listens—guesswork doesn’t save lives.
• Shared workload: Whether it’s writing reports or restocking supplies, a good partner pulls their weight.
• Adaptability: Emergencies are unpredictable and require adapting to; your partner should be adaptable, too.
• Patience and mentorship: Especially for the new providers, having a seasoned partner who teaches without judgment is invaluable. A good teacher knows when to teach and when to sit back and let you figure it out on your own. 
• A sense of humor: Sometimes, all you can do is laugh. A good partner knows how to lighten the mood.

Do’s and Don’ts of Being a Great EMS Partner

When it comes to working in EMS, being a good partner isn't about grand gestures or heroic saves; it's the small everyday habits that make a huge difference in building trust and camaraderie. Whether you’re the seasoned veteran or the new guy on the truck, following a simple set of "do's" and "don'ts" can create a smoother, more enjoyable shift for everyone.

Do’s:

• Be calm in the storm. Emergencies are what we do and demand composure. The best partners radiate confidence, keeping the team focused and the patient reassured.
• Keep your radio chatter brief. Clear, concise communication is key. Don't hold up the radio traffic with your long-winded report. If you’re unsure how to report something, practice with your partner or ask for feedback.
• Throw away your trash. It’s not glamorous, but a clean rig is essential. Leaving it a mess signals you don’t care about your workspace—or your partner.
• Pull your own weight. While your partner is handing off care at the hospital, you can restock the rig or clean up the back.
• Be patient with new partners. Everyone was new once. If you’re the veteran, remember how overwhelming those first months felt and cut some slack to the newbie.
• Drive smart. Fast to the scene, smooth to the hospital. Slinging your partner around in the back during a critical call doesn’t help anyone.
• Give credit when credit is due. When your partner makes a great save, hype them up. 
• Come uniform-ready. First impressions matter and showing up prepared sets the tone for professionalism. Nobody wants to show up on scene with a partner dressed like a slob.
• Stay teachable. If you’re the rookie, come eager to learn. The most experienced providers often have wisdom you can’t find in textbooks.

Don’ts:

• Forget deodorant. Hygiene isn’t optional when you’re working in close quarters for 12-24 hours.
• Embarrass your partner. Be aware of rookie mistakes. When you roll up to the ambulance bay, be sure your siren's off so your partner doesn't get yelled at by other crews for blasting their eardrums
• Take yourself too seriously. Know when to laugh and when to stay serious. A lighthearted joke can break the tension of a tough call.
• Set the dash cam off. If your ambulance has one of these, don't make a mistake that causes the camera to go off.
• Leave the rig messy. Clocking out doesn’t mean leaving the next crew to clean up your chaos.
• Claim skills you don’t have. If you’ve never gotten intraosseous access, say so. It’s better to ask for help than risk slowing down a full code.
• Be too chatty at posts. We all need a break. When downtime hits, know when your partner just wants some silence.
• Falsify vitals. Saying you “got a blood pressure” when you didn’t. Even if the grandma you picked up looks fine, vital signs are the best tool we have to seeing a bleed on the inside. Always check. 
• Be a know-it-all. Even if you’ve aced every test, humility goes a long way in earning your partner’s respect.
• Pretend you know the hospital route if you don’t. It’s okay to ask your partner for guidance, especially in an unfamiliar area.

Are You the Problem?

Let’s turn the mirror for a moment. Sometimes the issue isn’t your partner—it’s you. Here’s how to know if you’re the one who needs to improve:

• Are you communicating effectively? Or are you expecting your partner to read your mind?
• Are you pulling your weight? Be honest—there's a difference between doing your share and coasting.
• Are you bringing personal stress into the rig? Life happens, but don’t let it bleed into your attitude on shift.
• Are you open to feedback? If you’re defensive or dismissive, that could be the problem.

Be The Partner We All Want

EMS partnerships are unique. From the moment you sit down in the rig together, you're embarking on a shift filled with challenges, teamwork, and trust. A good partner isn’t just someone to share the workload—it’s someone who helps you rediscover why you love the job, even after the toughest calls.

Think back to that opening image of the office—the cramped front seat of the ambulance. When your partner’s got your back, that space can feel like a haven in the chaos. But when they don’t? It’s a daily grind that’s hard to shake. Remember, the qualities that make someone a good partner aren’t flashy—they’re in the little things: showing up, pulling your weight, and being someone others can count on.

Strive to be the partner who doesn’t just make the job bearable but makes it better. Whether you're guiding a rookie through their first chaotic shift or making your senior partner laugh on a long night, the effort you put into the partnership defines the kind of teammate you’ll be remembered as. And who knows? One day, you might just be someone’s reason to stay in EMS. You spend hours together in tight quarters, often in high-stress situations. A good partner lifts you up, has your back, and makes the job just a little bit easier. A bad one? Can become the quickest way to ruin your love for the job.

At the end of the day, being a good partner isn’t about perfection—it’s about effort. The best teams aren’t built overnight; they’re forged call by call, with mutual respect and shared responsibility. Strive to be the partner who lifts others up, who makes the tough days easier, and who leaves the rig better than they found it.

So, whether you’re new, looking for a change, or reflecting on your own habits, remember: a good partner is hard to find, but striving to be the good partner is usually all it takes.

Reagan Williams is a third-year medical student at Mercer University School of Medicine. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Williams went to work for Grady EMS in Atlanta, Georgia, as an Advanced-EMT. After an exciting couple of years, he became eager to continue his studies and returned to school to pursue a degree in medicine. He is a husband and proud father, living with his family in Savannah, while striving to achieve his professional aspirations and contribute to his community along the way.