Blog Posts

Smart911 Comes To Virginia Beach

7/7/2020

Vital information to and from first responders. Free to the community.

Virginia Beach 911 will be rolling out a new feature for mobile phones called Smart911. Smart911 shares information you provide to 911 Dispatchers:

Medical Information.
Emergency Contact information.
Home Address, Vehicle Make/Model.
Pet Information.
And More!

Smart911 also ties into VB Alerts for Virginia Beach residents. VB Alerts include:

Weather watches and warnings
Evacuation announcements
Rabid animal alerts
Police, fire or EMS activity
Hazardous Materials Incident
Boil water advisories
Transportation disruptions (road closures, major traffic incidents)

Smart911 will work in any jurisdiction across the country that participates in the program.

AmazonSmile for Mobile Devices

6/11/2020

AmazonSmile available for iOS and Android

AmazonSmile customers can now support Ocean Park Volunteer Fire And Rescue Unit Inc in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.

Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app. Click here for instructions.

You Shop. Amazon Gives.
Set up AmazonSmile for your account now.

Emergency Blood Drive, July 2020

6/10/2020

American Red Cross blood supply is critically low.

The American Red Cross has requested an additional Emergency Blood Drive in July. Supplies are critically low and donors are needed more than ever. Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad is known throughout Hampton Roads for having the highest Blood Drive turnout and most engaging community, now we're being asked to help again.

This Emergency Blood Drive will include COVID-19 antibody testing.

Schedule your appointment at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=opvrs

Germ Mold Buster supports OPVRS

5/27/2020

Protect Your Home, Protect Your Community

The Germ Mold Buster company has set up a unique promo code to benefit Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad. Every purchase you make supports the volunteer rescue squad.
Visit www.germmoldbuster.com and at check out use promo code: OPRESCUE

"We cannot say enough good things about the UVC Disinfection lights you have provided to Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad. So far, they have been durable, easy to operate and seem to be doing a very good job both in the cab and patient compartments of our ambulances. We are also rotating them through the Station living spaces with regularity. The simplicity and flexibility of the product allows our crews to easily deploy the lights between calls and we have now established a shift change routine that provides longer exposure times for the ambulance going off-duty. I have to say that it is so simple it sometimes feels like we are doing nothing, but in trusting the science and after researching a number other products, we were proud to work with a local vendor who has gone out of their way to make sure the Squad had what was needed to help protect our Providers and Patients."

- Jay Kerr, President. Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad

Buy Now & Use Promo Code: OPRESCUE

#GivingTuesday Thank You

5/5/2020

We Couldn't Do It Without You

We have been feeling the love recently. From meal donations, to masks, to Girl Scout cookies, money donations, and more! From the bottom of ours hearts, THANK YOU! Our members (who are not paid or compensated) will continue to answer the call for help every time they're summoned. We couldn't do it without you.

In the weeks and months ahead we'll need your help more than ever. If you've ever been interested in volunteering, now is the time. We need EMTs, Paramedics, and behind the scenes help. If you're interested in becoming an EMT we'll provide to training!

We have an entire team behind the scenes coordinating fundraising, writing thank you letters, station maintenance & upkeep, and fleet drivers who move ambulances between the maintenance garage and the station.

We will need all the help we can get! Contact us to learn how you can make a difference.

#GivingTuesdayNow #ThankYou #COVID19 #NonProfit

#GivingTuesdayNow

5/1/2020

May 5th, 2020 #GivingTuesdayNow

#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19

#GivingTuesdayNow emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection and kindness even while practicing physical distancing.

Donate

Advocate

Participate

Blood Drive May 15th, 2pm-6pm

4/13/2020

Blood Donors Needed, YOU ARE ESSENTIAL

Friday May 15th, 2pm-6pm
As organizations limit all “non-essential activity” our blood drive is an essential activity, as outlined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is an imperative part of community health and public preparedness plans to maintain blood collection during this challenging time to ensure patient survival.

Schedule your donation online today.

Schedule Blood Donation

Birthday Visits by OPVRS

4/5/2020

If your birthday is coming soon,
We don’t want you feeling blue,
You don’t have to celebrate with just one balloon,
Let us do something special for you!

If your child has a birthday between now and June 10th and their birthday plans have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, please message us and let us know! If you live in our Shore Drive response area, spanning from First Court Rd to Cox High School in Virginia Beach, we would love to do an ambulance drive by to wish them a happy birthday.

Contact us to get started! birthday@opvrs.com
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Visit Date Request:

Squad Stories at Ocean Park

3/9/2020

You can make a difference in someone's life. You can volunteer with Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad. From working on the ambulance to working behind the scenes fundraising, managing equipment, and building repairs. Regardless of age or experience, there is a need for volunteers.
Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of others and your community.

Get Involved

Thank you to Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation and Join Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach for helping create this video.

New Traffic Signal and Emergency Signal

3/2/2020

Shore Dr and Stratford Rd

Don't Block The Box:
Shore Drive has a new traffic signal at East and West Stratford Road and an extra emergency signal for Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad over the eastbound lanes. This new traffic signal will help pedestrians cross Shore Drive safely.
Be aware that the proximity of the stoplight may cause traffic to back up in front of the ambulance garages. Please don't block the box in front of the station. This will ensure your car is not blocking any of the emergency vehicles leaving the station. Since the stripes were painted and the signs put in place, the police have been actively enforcing "Don't Block The Box".