Download an application now.
Organization Statistics
- 320 members (200 active, 40% UVA students)
- Basic and Advanced Life Support
- Vehicle Rescue, Water Rescue, Special Event and Technical Rescue Teams
- Bicycle Medic Team
- 8 Medic Ambulances
- 2 ALS Zone Cars
- 2 Command Cars
- 2 Heavy Squad Trucks
- Water Rescue Truck and 3 boats
- Technical Rescue Truck
- Mass Casualty Incident Truck
- Collapse Response Trailer
- Special Events Trailer
- Serves City of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia, and parts of Albemarle County
- 11,845 incidents in 2008
Membership Requirements
- Minimum Virginia EMT Certification (valid EMT-Basic)
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Minimum 2 year commitment
- Run 12 hours per week, year round, including summers and holidays
- Attend monthly business meeting (2nd Thursday of each month at 19:00)
Membership Process
- Complete application including 3 references (2 of whom must be non-CARS members). Please turn in or mail in the application to CARS by 5:30 PM on the Friday preceding the first Tuesday of the month to be considered at the membership meeting.
- Attend an orientation session at 6:15pm the Monday preceding the first Tuesday of each month, unless those dates fall on a holiday; if so the date will change.
- minimum 60 day observation (as non-member); if performance evaluations are satisfactory:
- 6 month probationary period; if performance evaluations are satisfactory:
- full membership recommended.
Membership applications may be obtained from the squad house at 828 McIntire Road (behind the skate park). Stop by during the day or early evening (not when we are trying to sleep!).
COMPLETE THE APPLICATION WITH ALL ITS ATTACHMENTS BEFORE YOU COME TO A MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE APPLICATION COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.
Interested in joining? Questions? Email join@rescue1.org.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What am I expected to do as a member?
A: You will be assigned to either a day or night crew, (depending upon you availability)and you will be required to be on scheduled duty, at the rescue squad house, one day or night each week, a minimum of 12 hours, rain, sleet, snow, week-day or weekend, and holidays, when your scheduled duty falls on a holiday, unless you have another member of equal or greater training run for you. (See the Functional Position Description prepared by the Atlantic EMS Council which appears below for a detailed analysis and description of specific tasks).
Q: Can I sleep there?
A: Yes. Dorm facilities and linen is provided, and you may sleep at nights in between calls.
Q: Besides answering calls what do I have to do?
A: Each duty crew must check the equipment for readiness; do their assigned cleaning chore (building and truck); answer inquires from the public; members must attend monthly training meetings; perform at least 12 hours of stand-by at public events; and, keep all certifications valid.
Q: How is my performance evaluated?
A: Applicants are evaluated on specific items by 3 different crews. Probationary members are assigned to a specific crew, and are evaluated by the Crew Sergeant or their preceptor at 2, 4 and 6 months. A manual is provided each applicant which explains these things, and each applicant has a contact person on the membership committee who can help.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: NEVER – you are a volunteer. (Yes, we have had a couple people actually ask this after a few months).
Q: What do I wear?
A: During the 90 day observation period, you wear navy blue pants and a blue oxford style shirt (which you supply). Probationary and other members have uniforms provided by the Squad.
Q: Are their additional opportunities for training?
A: Yes; members have access to advanced life support classes and a variety of other medical and rescue oriented training. Almost all of this training is free, or at nominal charge.
Q: I am a nurse (or doctor, or respiratory therapist); do I have to be an EMT?
A: Yes, BUT — a process does exist which might allow you to either take a shorter course or challenge the state certification examination, at the Virginia Office of EMS’s discretion. You may consult the Thomas Jefferson EMS Council Office at 295-6146 or the Virginia Office of EMS at 1-800-523-6019 for further information.
Q. How to become an EMT?
A. The EMT-B course is offered here at CARS several times a year. Email EMT_Training@rescue1.org for more information. Also, you may try the local EMS Council at 295-6146 for other classes offered in the area.
FUNCTIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
(EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN)
Prepared by the Atlantic EMS Council
COMPETENCIES
The Emergency Medical technician must demonstrate competency in handling emergencies utilizing basic life support equipment and skills in accordance with the objectives in the U. S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for EMT to include having the ability to:
- Verbally communicate in person, via telephone and telecommunications using the English language;
- Lift, carry and balance a minimum of 125 pounds equally distributed (250 pounds with assistance) a height of 33 inches, a distance of 10 feet;
- Read and comprehend written materials under stressful conditions;
- Document, physically in writing, patient information in prescribed format;
- Demonstrate manual dexterity and fine motor skills, with ability to perform all tasks related to quality patient care in a safe manner;
- Bend, stoop, crawl, and walk on uneven surfaces; and,
- Meet minimum vision requirements to operate a motor vehicle in the state.
DESCRIPTION OF TASKS
* Receives a dispatched call, verbally acknowledges the call, reads road maps, identifies the most expeditious route to the scene, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.
* Upon arrival at scene, ensures that the vehicle is parked in a safe location. Safely performs size-up to determine scene safety including the presence of hazardous materials, mechanism of injury or illness, and the total number of patients. Performs triage and requests additional help as necessary.
* In the absence of public safety personnel takes safety precautions to protect the injured and those assisting in the care of the patient(s).
* Using body substance isolation techniques, protects the patient(s) and providers from possible contamination.
* Inspects for medical identification emblems, bracelets or cards that provide patient emergency medical care information.
* Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, checks respirations, auscultates breath sounds, takes pulses, auscultates/palpates blood pressure (including proper placement of the cuff), visually observes changes in skin color, establishes priority for emergency care. Based on assessment findings renders emergency care to adults, infants and children.
* Skills performed include, but are not limited to: establishing and maintaining an airway, ventilating patients, cardiac resuscitation, use of automated external defibrillators where applicable. In addition, provides prehospital emergency care of single and multiple system trauma such as controlling hemorrhage, bandaging wounds, treatment of shock (hypoperfusion), spinal immobilization and splinting of painful swollen or deformed extremities.
* Manages medical patients to include, but are not limited to: assisting with childbirth, management of respiratory, cardiac, diabetic, allergic, behavioral, and environmental emergencies and suspected poisonings.
* Performs interventions and assists patients with prescribed medications, including sublingual nitroglycerine, epinephrine auto-injectors, and metered dose aerosol inhalers observing safety measures for others and self.
* Responsible for administration of oxygen, oral glucose and activated charcoal.
* Reassures patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.
* Functions in varied environmental conditions such as lighted or darkened work areas, extreme heat, cold and moisture.
* Performs in situations that create stress and tension on a regular basis.
* Where extrication is required, assesses extent of entrapment and provides all possible emergency care and protection to the patient. Uses recognized techniques and equipment for removing patients safely (to include proper strap placement). Communicates verbally for additional help as needed.
* Complies with regulations for the handling of crime scenes and prehospital deaths by notifying the appropriate authorities and arranging for the protection of property and evidence at the scene.
* Lifts and moves patients into the ambulance and assures that the patient and stretcher are secured; continues emergency medical care en-route in accordance with local protocols.
* Determines most appropriate facility for patient transport. Reports to the receiving facility the nature and extent of injuries, and the number of patients being transported.
* Observes patient en-route and administers care as directed by medical control or local protocol. Able to maneuver to all points in the patient compartment while transporting with a stretchered patient. Assists in lifting and carrying patient and appropriate equipment from ambulance and into receiving facility.
* Reports, verbally and in writing, observations and emergency care given to the patient at the scene and in transit to the receiving staff for record keeping and diagnostic purposes. Upon request, provides assistance to the receiving facility staff.
* Disposes of contaminated supplies in accordance with established guidelines, decontaminates vehicle interior, sends used supplies for sterilization.
* Maintains ambulance in operable condition which includes cleanliness, orderliness and restocking of equipment and supplies. Determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gas, water in battery and radiator, and tire pressure.
* Checks all medical equipment for future readiness. Maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.
* Attends continuing education and/or refresher training programs as required by EMS agency, medical direction, and/or certifying agency.
* Meets qualifications within the functional job analysis of the EMT.
