I've got EMT-I('85) and WEMT (via SOLO), plus some years working on the ambulance for a large 911-only system.

I agree with Alan that the ideal course path would be wilderness based. But there is a practical economic factor that might sway that decision for you. In some locales the cost for a wilderness based class can be very high in both time and money; travel and vacation time are often required. Meanwhile, the state or your employer may subsidize First Responder or EMT-Basic training at a local college where you can do the classroom work in the evenings. The state paid about 80% of the cost for my EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate training, and I took the classes at night.

Ride-alongs are usually required but the number of them is very minimal for EMT-Basic, and you are just riding along, you are not committing to any ongoing service in EMS.