As the summer sun begins to set, and we bid farewell to the long days of relaxation and adventure, there is still an opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of others. The act of donating blood is a simple yet impactful way to conclude your summer on a high note, knowing that you have played a vital role in saving a life. With hospitals constantly in need of a stable blood supply, your contribution can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals in your community and beyond.

1. Answering the Call of Urgency: Blood donation is a matter of life and death. Hospitals and medical facilities rely on the generosity of donors to maintain an adequate supply of blood for various medical procedures, emergencies, and surgeries. During the summer months, blood banks often experience a decline in donations due to vacations, travel, and other activities. By donating blood as summer comes to an end, you can help bridge this gap and ensure that patients in need continue to receive the care they deserve.
2. A Simple Act, A Profound Impact: The process of donating blood is remarkably straightforward and takes only a short amount of your time. The difference you make, however, is immeasurable. A single blood donation can save up to three lives, making your contribution a powerful gesture of compassion and humanity. Just a few moments of your time can provide a lifetime of hope for those facing critical health challenges.
3. Enhancing Community Resilience: Your donation doesn't just impact individuals; it strengthens the resilience of your community as a whole. When disaster strikes or accidents occur, a readily available supply of blood is essential to ensure that medical professionals can respond effectively. By donating blood before the summer ends, you become an essential part of a collective effort to safeguard the health and well-being of your fellow community members.
4. Leaving a Legacy of Care: As you wrap up your summer and prepare to embrace the changing seasons, consider the legacy you can leave behind. By donating blood, you create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the warm months. The lives you touch through your selfless act become a testament to your compassion, empathy, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
5. A Personal Connection: It's important to remember that anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, can find themselves in need of blood at some point in their lives. Your decision to donate blood is a statement of solidarity, showcasing your willingness to stand by your fellow human beings in times of vulnerability. It's a powerful reminder that we are all interconnected and that your action has the potential to connect you to someone you may never meet but whose life you've changed forever.

As summer draws to a close, there is no better way to conclude this season of growth, connection, and adventure than by giving the gift of life. Donating blood is a small sacrifice that yields a profound impact, resonating far beyond the confines of a single moment. Your decision to donate blood is a reminder that compassion knows no season, and your gesture will serve as a beacon of hope for those in need. So, as you bid adieu to the warmth of summer, consider wrapping it up with a life-saving gesture that will leave a lasting legacy of care, compassion, and community. Your willingness to donate blood may just be the brightest light in someone else's life as they navigate their own journey to health and recovery.

Virginia Beach, VA - Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad (OPVRS) is thrilled to announce that EMT Shelley Drisko has been named Member of the Quarter. OPVRS Deputy Chief Dylan Koch made the announcement at the monthly business meeting on Monday, July 10th.

The Member of the Quarter award acknowledges Shelley for her superior performance and outstanding dedication to the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad and the community we serve. In addition to exceeding her regular duty requirements, Shelley proudly represented OPVRS at several special events including the Something in the Water festival and the Langley Air Show. Shelley also volunteered to take on more responsibility at the Squad by stepping into the Fleet Assistant role and quickly excelling. In the immediate aftermath of the Great Neck tornado, Shelley was among the many off-duty Ocean Park volunteers who swiftly arrived at the scene to provide aid and assisted with the establishment of a rehabilitation facility for emergency responders working through the night. In the days following the tornado, Shelley volunteered to provide standby medical assistance to the utility workers performing dangerous work while clearing debris from the affected neighborhood. Shelley's positive attitude, team spirit, and steadfast dedication to service represent the highest values of OPVRS.

​Congratulations, Shelley, and thank you for all you do!

The Member of the Quarter is awarded to an OPVRS operational member who demonstrates consistent and outstanding performance of his/her duties above what is normally expected throughout the course of each quarter.

Join us for our Summer community cookout!
Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 6pm-8pm. Hamburgers / Hot Dogs & Sweet Treats

• FREE
• Open To The Public
• Touch A Truck.

Come spend some time with YOUR community rescue squad.

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
3769 East Stratford Road
​Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad is pleased to announce the acquisition of a new 2023 Chevrolet Express 2500 12 passenger van.

This will serve as a replacement for our 2001 Ford Econoline Passenger Van. This apparatus plays an important role in the City of Virginia Beach’s energy response system (ERS) as it has the largest passenger carrying capacity of any vehicle in the ERS fleet. Van 1 has served the residents and visitors of Virginia Beach for 22 years on many incidents, special events and training courses.

This project was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the Officers and Executive Board of the squad, along with the great customer service from RK Chevrolet and the Virginia Sheriff’s Association. Funding for this project was possible through our gracious donors and most importantly, the grant funding made available from the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Foundation.

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad is proud to announce that is has earned the Candid (formerly Guidestar) Platinum Transparency rating for the year of 2023. This puts OPVRS in the top 0.1% of nonprofits globally.

This shows the commitment our organization puts forward when it comes to providing clear information regarding our mission, programs and priorities. All of this reflects on how our mission of providing free emergency prehospital care to all is impacting the community.

​Future and current donors now have the ability to see in depth financial and corporate information about how Ocean Park makes their gifts work HERE. OPVRS is committed to maintaining the highest level of transparency to its donors, the community and its partners in public safety.

Virginia Beach, VA - The Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad will host an open house on Saturday, Feb 18th from 12 noon to 6pm. The building and ambulances will be open to the community. Anyone with an interest in volunteering or learning more about the volunteer rescue squad are encouraged to visit. 

"The lights and sirens are always a cool feature of the job, but we want to show potential volunteers there is so much more to volunteering. We offer leadership opportunities, civic engagement, and an opportunity to serve your community in a fast-paced environment" said Rescue Squad President Branan Roughgarden.

The rescue squad will also be hosting other medical and public safety vendors, along with a BBQ truck with more to come!

• Tidewater EMS Council sharing information about the new Whole Blood Initiative. 
• Sentara Nightingale Air Ambulance 
• Virginia Beach Department of Public Health
• Flavor Savor BBQ Truck​
• ​Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required to attend, drop in anytime. The Facebook event can be found HERE