Your Expectations as an OPVRS Volunteer
Volunteering with Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad is more than giving your time — it is an opportunity to serve your community, learn lifesaving skills, and become part of a team that your neighbors depend on every day.
Our volunteers provide emergency medical care and ambulance transportation to residents and visitors throughout Virginia Beach. As part of the Virginia Beach EMS system, our members work alongside volunteers and career providers to answer thousands of calls for help each year.
Whether you are beginning with no previous medical experience or bringing skills from another profession, we will provide the training and support you need to succeed.
Our volunteers provide emergency medical care and ambulance transportation to residents and visitors throughout Virginia Beach. As part of the Virginia Beach EMS system, our members work alongside volunteers and career providers to answer thousands of calls for help each year.
Whether you are beginning with no previous medical experience or bringing skills from another profession, we will provide the training and support you need to succeed.
What We Provide
You do not need previous EMS experience to get started.
The training necessary to begin serving as a volunteer EMT is provided at no cost to you. Entry-level training includes the BLS Academy and the certifications and operational training necessary to serve within the Virginia Beach EMS system.
Depending on your training pathway, this may include:
We invest in our volunteers because they are an important part of our ability to serve Virginia Beach.
The training necessary to begin serving as a volunteer EMT is provided at no cost to you. Entry-level training includes the BLS Academy and the certifications and operational training necessary to serve within the Virginia Beach EMS system.
Depending on your training pathway, this may include:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR)
- Emergency Vehicle Operator training
- EMS operations and system orientation
- Additional clinical and operational training
We invest in our volunteers because they are an important part of our ability to serve Virginia Beach.
What you bring to the table
Here at Ocean Park, we set high standards for performance and the delivery of care. When your neighbor dials 911 they deserve the best service every time. Our behavior should instill confidence in the community and our patients. We provide the highest standards of customer service and patient care. We treat everyone, including fellow members, responders and bystanders, with courtesy and respect.
View your time as an EMT like you would any other job. While volunteering at Ocean Park you will be expected to uphold all policies and procedures ensuring the job gets done right,
As a Volunteer EMT, the community relies on Ambulances and response apparatus to be staffed when they call 911 in their time of need. You are expected to stand duty regularly, and be on time so calls can be answered. Your neighbors, community and your partner are relying on you, flexibility for illness, emergencies and unique scenarios are allowed and handled as they arise like at any other job.
Most members stand duty for 40 hours a month. Your schedule is flexible to accommodate your needs. We offer varying shift times and lengths, allowing you to contribute around your schedule. Ocean Park offers a flexible "leave" program that can offer you time off or a reduction in duties when you need the time. Your typical duty day will consist of preparing your ambulance for the shift, answering calls for service to include treating the sick an injured with the latest prehospital care, day or night.
View your time as an EMT like you would any other job. While volunteering at Ocean Park you will be expected to uphold all policies and procedures ensuring the job gets done right,
As a Volunteer EMT, the community relies on Ambulances and response apparatus to be staffed when they call 911 in their time of need. You are expected to stand duty regularly, and be on time so calls can be answered. Your neighbors, community and your partner are relying on you, flexibility for illness, emergencies and unique scenarios are allowed and handled as they arise like at any other job.
Most members stand duty for 40 hours a month. Your schedule is flexible to accommodate your needs. We offer varying shift times and lengths, allowing you to contribute around your schedule. Ocean Park offers a flexible "leave" program that can offer you time off or a reduction in duties when you need the time. Your typical duty day will consist of preparing your ambulance for the shift, answering calls for service to include treating the sick an injured with the latest prehospital care, day or night.
What's in it for me?
So, what do you get out of this?
This will be a life-changing experience for you. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and Ocean Park is truly one big family. Whether you are looking to make new friends, expand your career horizons, or just give back to the community, we have a place for you.
The skills you will learn will forever make you a valuable person. Many members have used the opportunities to jump start careers in public safety as paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and dispatchers. Others have used the experience of providing medical care to others as a segue into practicing medicine as physician assistants, nurses, and doctors.
Put your leadership skills, compassion, and knowledge to the test by serving as a volunteer with the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad!
This will be a life-changing experience for you. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and Ocean Park is truly one big family. Whether you are looking to make new friends, expand your career horizons, or just give back to the community, we have a place for you.
The skills you will learn will forever make you a valuable person. Many members have used the opportunities to jump start careers in public safety as paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and dispatchers. Others have used the experience of providing medical care to others as a segue into practicing medicine as physician assistants, nurses, and doctors.
Put your leadership skills, compassion, and knowledge to the test by serving as a volunteer with the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad!
