James Garside joined his local ambulance corps in 1986 while in high school and still volunteers with them. His first call as an EMT was a cardiac arrest. That inspired him to become an ALS provider and in 1990, he was certified as an AEMT 3 (EMT-CC). He earned his paramedic license in 2022.
      In 2000, after 7 years as a police officer, Garside combined his medical training with his law enforcement responsibilities and became one of the first officers in Suffolk County to carry ALS equipment in his patrol vehicle. For 25 years, he has responded to medical calls as an additional resource for the local volunteer agencies. For his dedicated service, Garside was awarded the 2000 and 2011 Suffolk County Regional EMS Council ALS Provider of the Year and 2012 New York State EMS Council ALS Provider of the Year.