volunteering with rescue 4
OPERATIONAL VOLUNTEERs
Administrative VOLUNTEERs
Administrative VOLUNTEERs
Operational volunteers stand duty and respond to emergency calls in ambulances and rescue vehicles, providing high level, professional prehospital care as Nationally Registered and Virginia State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.
Administrative VOLUNTEERs
Administrative VOLUNTEERs
Administrative VOLUNTEERs
Administrative volunteers are non-operational integral components of our organization. They ensure finances are in order and bills are paid, medical supplies and equipment are purchased, members are scheduled for shifts, fundraisers are organized and so much more. They do not provide patient care, but are support specialists.
Applications and more:
Life on the beach
Minimums
Rescue 4 members are required to provide a minimum of 48 hours a month, generally split into two 24- or four 12-hour prescheduled shifts. Members are encouraged to provide additional time to station and administration projects, run for officer positions, take on leadership rolls and staff ambulances as needed or on off-hours.
Training
Operational Candidates without current EMT certification will be required to attend our in-house, no-cost Basic Life Support (BLS) Academy held through the City of Virginia Beach Department of EMS. Successful graduates of the BLS Academy will receive professional CPR certification, National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) and Virginia State EMT-Basic licensure, and certification to drive and operate emergency vehicles.
Administrative Candidates will attend an initial orientation through VBEMS followed by on-the-job training with Rescue 4 leadership.
Internship
Those who successfully complete the BLS Academy, and applicants who are current EMTs, Advanced-EMTs, and Paramedics will complete an Internship. This familiarizes the member with local procedures, policy and protocols and gradually introduces them into the organization. ALS Providers will be required to complete their Internship under a Field Training Officer, then complete an oral board with our Medical Director and training team.
All of our members regardless of certification level are released as Tidewater EMS Council Providers with reciprocity throughout the local area.
Why Join up?
Volunteering with us is a big commitment, but will be the experience of a lifetime. Some of the many benefits include:
- Volunteer hours - at least 48/month.
- No-cost initial EMT training and certification, as well as an in-house Advanced-EMT Academy, scholarships for Paramedic school, no-cost continuing education including CEUs and access to courses like ACLS, PALS, TCCC/TECC, EMS at the Crime Scene, Introduction to Public Affairs and EMS Officer I & II.
- Invaluable patient contact and care experience in a very busy metropolitan 911 system.
- Leadership opportunities in operations, administration and management.
- Virginia Beach property tax incentives and Virginia State VOLSAP retirement stipend.
- Special Operations opportunities, including Crisis Intervention, Marine/Water Rescue, Bike EMS team, Cart EMS team, SWAT Medic, Field Supervisor, Special Events Standbys and more.
- Free or reduced admission to statewide training symposiums.
- Membership in a progressive EMS agency. All our ambulances feature LUCAS CPR devices, Stryker power cot and loader systems, and protocols that allow both BLS and ALS providers to think critically and operate at the top of their capabilities and training.
Most importantly, you’ll join a diverse family of dedicated professionals serving the community.
Volunteering with us will be some of the most challenging - but exceptionally rewarding - experiences of your life.
GET STARTED
BECOMING A MEMBER OF RESCUE 4
Frequently Asked Questions:
- You DO NOT need City of Virginia Beach residency to join. We have members from as close as a block away from the station to as far as Washington, D.C. and North Carolina.
- You DO NOT need previous experience! We’ll provide all the training, including EMT, for FREE.
- There are plenty of opportunities to expand your experience in VBRescue, from advancing your credentials through Advanced EMT or Paramedic to serving in leadership positions or on one of our speciality teams.
- Military members, college students and other select members are able to take advantage of flexible schedules to remain a part of the organization while deployed, during finals or midterms, etc.
Notes:
- We do not offer a “Live In,” “Bunkroom,” or “Resident” program.
- We do not provide firefighting or technical rescue opportunities, only Emergency Medical Services.
Learn More & Apply
Recruitment is handled by the City of Virginia Beach Department of EMS. Applications and additional information can be found on their website:
Learn about our system
Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad is one of the ten individual organizations that make up Virginia Beach EMS. This video from City of Virginia Beach Department of EMS Chief Brazle explains how our incredibly unique system works - to the benefit of the community.
Ride Along: observer shift
Not sure if Rescue is for you? Want to see more about what our Squad does every day? Come ride along with us!
Scheduling and additional requirements can be found through the Virginia Beach Department of EMS.
Support & administrative member
Administrative volunteers are non-operational integral components of our organization. Help is always needed behind the scenes, from managing finances, to scheduling members to maintaining the supply and inventory of critical lifesaving supplies and equipment. Serve your community, build experience and gain a new family as an Administrative Member.
See how you can go from no medical experience to an experienced and confident Emergency Medical Technician through our in-house state and nationally accredited EMT academy.
PHOTOS ON THE BEACH WITH SANTA!
We’re excited to bring back our popular Photos with Santa on the Beach fundraiser, December 2nd from 10am-2pm on Chic’s Beach. Learn more: