Join Us

Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad’s membership is made up of a diverse group of individuals. Our membership includes police officers, medical professionals, students, parents, grandparents, teachers, and people just like you. Our volunteers give their time and talents to the community while gaining knowledge, confidence, new friends and a sense of satisfaction in their work.

Operational Members

Are you looking for the sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others? Or are you looking for the excitement that accompanies any First Responder position? Become an Operational Member of the Rescue Squad.

The majority of our members come to us with no training or expertise in emergency medicine. Our members receive all training necessary to test and certify as a Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) from the City of Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services Training Division. The Training Division provides an exceptional start-to-finish training program designed to accommodate the schedules of people with jobs, families, or other daytime obligations.

If you are already a certified EMT or Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider, from other states or military training, the EMS Administration Office can help you obtain your certification reciprocity to quickly become a running member of the Rescue Squad.

Once certified, you are required to run four (4) 12 hour shifts each month, with flexible scheduling based on the available dates you provide.

Contact the City EMS Admin Office at 757.385.1999 to apply or find out more.

Administrative Members

Do you want to help but you aren’t sure about becoming a certified provider? You can serve your community by becoming an Admin Member. An Admin Member is a full member of the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad who assists with event planning, fund drive work, Squad promotion, cleaning, organizing, and anything else that a non-profit organization needs to operate. Admin members do not provide patient care or ride in the ambulance, and there is no maximum amount for volunteering. We do ask that you donate a minimum of 10 hours per month so you can help our organization grow.

If you are interested in volunteering your time and talent, please contact the Virginia Beach Department of EMS Administration Office at: 757.385.1999

There are new classes starting all the time, so contact us now!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have a high school diploma or a GED
  • Pass criminal and DMV background checks
  • Be clean and neat in appearance
  • Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties required as evidenced by
    a medical examination
  • Be able to read, write and speak the English language
  • Addiction to the use of any drugs or intoxicating substances
  • Felony conviction for a sexual crime.
  • Conviction of any other act which is a felony under the laws of this State or of the
    United States, except that such felony is eligible for certification if within five (5)
    years after the date of final release no additional felonies have been committed
  • Conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude (crimes contrary
    to justice, honesty or good morals)
  • Conviction of a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor or the Virginia State law
    equivalent in the last 24 months
  • Conviction of a Class 3 or Class 4 misdemeanor or the Virginia State law
    equivalent in the last twelve (12) months
  • Minus three (-3) or more points on a Virginia Driver’s license or the equivalent for
    out of state license or the combination of such
  • Conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusal to take blood
    or breath test, eluding police, racing, reckless driving or any suspension of driving privileges in the last five (5) years
  • Use of Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any other type of hallucinogenic drug in the last five (5) years or any history of flashbacks or adverse reactions related to such use
  • Use of illegal drugs including anabolic steroids in the last twelve (12) months
  • Dishonorable discharge from any military service
  • Untruthful or intentional withholding of information on any application, interview or paperwork associated with the position
  • Cheating on examinations or testing associated with the position

Persons interested in joining a rescue squad in Virginia Beach can apply online at https://ems.virginiabeach.gov/volunteer. Applications for rescue squad membership are submitted to and approved by the City of Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services (VBEMS). On your application mark you want to join Princess Anne Courthouse Rescue / Rescue 5.

As soon as EMS Administration has approved your application, your information is forwarded to us. Our Administrative Captain will contact you and invite you to the next general membership business meeting. Your application will be presented to the general membership for probationary membership. Each rescue squad has a separate way of accepting members, so the process may vary from squad to squad.

No, there is no residency requirement. Our members come from all walks of life and from all over the Hampton Roads area. We even have members who, due to job changes, have moved outside of the area and still made arrangements
to return to Virginia Beach in order to stand duties!

  • Yes, email our Administrative Captain at 560@pachvrs.org and request information for a ride along.
  • Ride along duties run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., which are the standard shift times for our volunteers.
  • Due to covid restrictions, our observer program is undergoing changes. Please watch for updates.
  • A white collared shirt, tucked-in, with no logos
  • A plain white undershirt or white or navy turtleneck (optional)
  • Dark pants (navy or black); NO jeans!
  • Close-toed shoes with socks
  • If the weather requires a jacket or coat, wear one with no obvious logos.
  • EMT training is provided by the City of Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services Training Division at the Bruce Edwards EMS Headquarters & Training Center on Virginia Beach Blvd.
  • When you have been approved for membership, you are eligible to start the next EMT training program. There are frequent EMT classes each year.

Absolutely! The application process and initial requirements are the same. You will complete several classes (BLS Intern Orientation) on Virginia Beach-specific protocols and equipment then start your orientation training program on the unit with an authorized Field Training Officer (FTO).

Once certified as an EMT, members are required to run a minimum of four 12- hour duties each month. Duties are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Some exceptions are made for full-time college students on a case-by-case basis. However, we invite all members to become as active within the organization as possible. Members should also plan to attend the monthly business meetings.

Certified members are required to submit six (6) dates for which they are available for duty the following month. Dates must be submitted by the 15th of the month. Four duties from those dates submitted are selected by the Lt. of Scheduling. The schedule for the following month is usually available by the 21st.

Yes, you can join PACHVRS as an Administrative Member. As an Admin Member, you will be assigned tasks that support the organization or you may be
eligible to serve as an Administrative Officer, on committees, or help with fundraising or recruitment and retention.

Yes. We currently have a monthly business meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, and members are strongly encouraged to attend as this is where you learn what is going on with YOUR squad. Meetings usually last about an hour and a half, and dinner is provided. Special business, such as decisions regarding the purchase of a new ambulance or significant changes to the Bylaws, may require a separate meeting.

Yes, uniform items are issued once your application is approved.

Send us a message on one of our social media platforms or ask any of our members you see out and about.