It is the mission of SVRS to provide the highest level of emergency medical care and technical rescue services to those that require our assistance. We do it with dedication, excellence and compassion.

• “To do something worthwhile. I cannot think of a better way for one person to make a difference in our community."
• “To enter medical the field”
• “To provide patient care and engage in a fulfilling endeavor.”
• “I thought it would be fun. I had heard of some friends who did EMS and I wanted to check it out.”
• “I wanted to start helping people when they are in most need. I wanted to learn and experience what to do in medical emergencies.”
• “I wanted to get into the medical field, learn new skills, be part of a team, and help people.”

• “The people we run with, the patients we serve (you really never know what you’re going to see/encounter)”
• “I like running calls and I like being around the people on my crew”
• “Responsibility to community and learning experience”
• “Friendships I’ve formed”
• “I’m committed to my crew and to my community”
• “Providing essential EMS for the community and leading the next generation of EMS providers”
• “The sense of performing a duty for the community”
• “I enjoy it - I like the camaraderie”
• “Habit :-). Seriously, it’s part of my life”
• “For my community and for my crew”
• “I have a wonderful crew and the surprise element of every call keeps it interesting”
• “The people and the training opportunities”
• “Crew 3 is my family, I enjoy helping others”
• “I really enjoy learning about patient care and the medicine aspect of it. I also really like that everyone on my crew is so willing to teach me about the field and their experiences.”
• “I like being able to serve the community and I enjoy the camaraderie and relationships I’ve built being a member of SVRS.”

EMS Volunteering has the potential to take you to places that may seem like a distant dream. Members can progress their careers, skills and capabilities with Sterling or another volunteer agency. Some of the professions that volunteers have achieved after getting their start as a volunteer in EMS include:

• Firefighter
• Paramedic
• Registered Nurse
• Physician Assistant
• Doctor
• Medical Director
• Commander of United States Park Police Helicopter Division
• Police Officer
• Assistant Commander of Aviation/Chief Flight Paramedic with FCPD
• Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Medical Team Lead
• Battalion Chief
• Assistant Chief
• FBI SWAT Medic
• Special Agent with the United States Department of Homeland Security

Sterling Rescue requires many different skill sets to help run and achieve the overall mission to provide emergency medical support to the citizens of Sterling and surrounding areas. The duties of volunteers include operational personnel who are first responders directly involved in responding to emergencies staffing ambulance, medic and Heavy Rescue units. We also have a separate administrative team that supports the general organization. We need help with both Operations and Administrative teams.

No. Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad fully staffs ambulance and medic units. In short, operational members serve as emergency vehicle operators, emergency medical technicians and ultimately independently functioning clinicians. You will have the opportunity to run calls front and center. All Operational members are required to work towards and earn (at least) their EMT certification. If you are over 21, then members are also required to earn their EVOC certification and be able to drive response units.

See our open Volunteer Opportunities 

Meet our Leadership

SVRS has an Administrative and an Operational Command structure in place.

The administrative team is comprised of the following elected positions:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Board of Directors

The operational organizational structure is comprised of:

• Chief (elected)
• Assistant Chief(s) & Deputy Chief(s)
• Captains, Lieutenants, Medics (EMT-I and EMT-P), EMTs, AEMTS

Operating out of our three Fire/Rescue stations, SVRS responds to more than 7,500 calls annually. There is plenty of work to do!

Night Crews run on the same night each week. Night Crew members are required to complete one 12-hour shift per week and one 24-hour shift every 7th Saturday (night crews only). Night shifts run from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Sunday Day Crew operates as a part of the Night Crew rotation and works from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

Day Crew members may run any day of the week (Monday through Friday). Day Crew members must serve a minimum of 12 hours per week. Day shifts run from 6:00 AM to 6:00PM. 

All members attend one or two mandatory events each year (Open Houses in May and October). Additionally, attendance is expected at the monthly General Membership Meetings (GMM). GMM Meetings are typically held the first Thursday of each month from 7:00-900 PM.

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All operational members of SVRS must eventually be certified by the VA OEMS Office as an EMT.

Classes are held at Loudoun County Volunteer Fire Training Academy in Leesburg, VA. Obtaining your EMT certificate is likely the most time-consuming portion of your volunteering. 

Additional trainings include, EVOC, Loudoun County AIC “BLS Challenge,” Hazardous Materials Awareness, NIMS Incident Command Trainings, SVRS Orientation, and LCFR Orientation (CPR, BBP).

First and foremost, everyone is expected to be a professional. Our behavior instills confidence in the community and provides the highest standards of care.

Volunteer positions are viewed the same as a career position and members are expected to follow department policies and procedures.

Volunteers are expected to stand duty as a part of a crew on a regular basis. We need you to be where you are scheduled to be on time and ready to work.

All Operational Members are required to complete one 12-hour shift per week and one 24-hour shift every 7th Saturday (night crews only).

Day Crew members may run any day of the week (Monday through Friday), while night crews run on the same night each week.

Administrative Members are required to work with the administrative coordinator to determine requirements.

Each duty crew must check the equipment for readiness; do their assigned cleaning chore (building and truck); answer inquiries from the public; members must attend monthly training meetings, and keep all certifications valid.

Sterling’s scheduling officer assigns personnel to Duty Crews based on two factors. First and foremost, department needs determine where staff are assigned; we are responsible to staff EMS units for the County. In doing so we will do our best to assign you to a preferred shift, but there are no guarantees and your assignment can change at any time. All changes are discussed and communicated

Yes. Sleeping facilities are provided, and you may sleep at nights in between calls. You will be expected to bring linens or a sleeping bag to put on the mattress.

Regardless of the type of membership that you pursue, being a member of Sterling Rescue offers many benefits, both tangible and intangible.

Tangible Benefits

• Loudoun County retirement system
• Exempt from automobile personal property tax (one car, in Loudoun)
• Loudoun County Credit Union
• Tuition Reimbursement ($2,000/year)
• Wide range of training opportunities
• Hands-on patient experience
• Uniforms

Intangible Benefits

• Satisfaction of helping your fellow citizens
• Incredible sense of achievement
• Meeting a diverse range of people
• Becoming a member of the extended Sterling Rescue family

Regarding benefits, It is interesting to note that we have found that--

People start to volunteer because they “want to help the community” and “gain EMS experience.”

People continue to volunteer for the same reasons above and because they “feel a sense of commitment to the team.”

With time, the volunteer experience provides members more than can be tangibly measured.

1. Attend a Volunteer Information Session.
2. Complete and return your application.

Once you have applied you will be assigned a recruiter who will help to guide you through the following steps:

• Complete a one-on-one interview with an Operational and/or Administrative member.
• Complete a fingerprint card and return to the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services
• Undergo a background investigation.
• Operational Applicants: Complete a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) physical examination (at our facility and expense).
• Once all requirements are completed, your application package will be forwarded to the Sterling Rescue Board of Directors, who will review and approve/disapprove your membership

Start Today by filling out this form.

Yes, call 703.261.4736 and leave a message. We will be in touch. You can also email:
[email protected]. 

Start Today by filling out this form.