Have you ever passed by the fire department in your town and wondered what goes on there? What would it be like to be a first responder? What equipment do firefighters use? What training do they do? Perhaps you're interested in learning more, but hesitate, thinking it's a paid job. After all, in this day and age, aren't all firefighters paid for their work?

You may be surprised to learn that nearly 70% of all firefighters in the United States are volunteers, even in highly populated areas such as Long Island, New York. That's why the firehouse in your town may be dark and empty much of the time. It's made up of people who work regular full-time jobs, but choose to volunteer to be firefighters and EMTs.

Our series, Ride With Us, takes viewers behind-the-scenes of volunteer fire departments across New York's Hudson Valley to discover what goes on.

Join series host, Rick Sheinmel, and his volunteer firefighter co-hosts, as they visit local firehouses and experience volunteer firefighter life. Meet the firefighters. See who they are, what they do, how they train, and why they choose to volunteer.

The first season of Ride With US visits volunteer fire departments in Ulster County, New York, where we meet the firefighters and learn about the high-tech equipment they use, such as a Thermal Imaging Camera, see how they recognize and survive Flashovers, save lives with Automated External Defibrillators (AED), extinguish a Car Fire, and more.

In Season Two, we travel to the Walker Valley Fire Department to find out what happens when a town doesn't have fire hydrants, learn about Ladder Trucks at the Highland Fire District, and watch as a probationary firefighter is welcomed into her new fire department family during a special ceremony at the South Blooming Grove Fire District.

Much more will be coming in Season Three, so stay tuned for updates.

In the meantime, learn more about the volunteer fire service in your community. Stop by your local firehouse today!