Several area public safety agencies are offering the public a chance to experience what it is like to be a first responder with a virtual ride-along set for Friday.

Those participating in the virtual ride-along will get a glimpse into the realities of life in public safety all from the comforts of home.

Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, each department will use their own Facebook and Twitter accounts to give people an inside look at what happens during their shifts.  As people virtually ride alongside the public safety staff to calls for service, they will get an inside view of incidents by video, photos and live feed.  All social media posts and Tweets will include the countywide hashtag “STANCO911.”  The program encourages participants to ask questions during the night by using the hashtag or by mentioning the agency your question is directed to.

Agencies participating in the event are: the Modesto Police Department, Modesto Fire Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire, Ceres Police Department and Turlock Fire Department.   

 The social media handles for the agencies are: Twitter: @ModestoPolice, @ModestoFire; Facebook: @ModestoPolice @ModestoFire; Instagram: @ModestoFireDept; Twitter: @StanSheriff, @StanConFirePIO; Facebook: @StanSheriff, @StanConFirePIO; Twitter: @CeresPD Facebook: @CeresPoliceDepartment; Twitter: @TurlockFire.