Operational volunteers are trained and certified first responders. If you are looking to donate your time, we have different opportunities from responding to EMS incidents to supporting the department through community education and administration. All Sterling Rescue operational volunteers are trained and certified to the same level as career Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel.
Volunteer Opportunities
Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad has requirements for both operational and administrative volunteers. The operational volunteers serve as first responders, delivering emergency medical support to the community. The administrative volunteers perform a variety of support roles in areas such as recruiting, membership support, and business operations.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Click on each opportunity to learn more.
Operational Volunteer
Operational volunteers are trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) first responders. These members work as a team to answer emergency calls and help save lives by providing immediate care to the ill and injured and by providing life-saving care to a patient while transporting them to the hospital.
There are three levels of trained EMT volunteers including EMT (also known as EMT-Basic), Advanced EMT (AEMT) and EMT-Paramedic.
- EMT: An EMT has the skills to assess a patient’s condition, deliver basic life support care and to manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies.
- AEMT: This certification expands upon EMT training and adds medication administration and fluid replacement skills to the scope of practice as well as more advanced knowledge in pathophysiology and assessment skills.
- Paramedic: Paramedic is the highest certification level for pre-hospital advanced life support and requires additional extensive classroom and field experience. Advanced airway and cardiac event management are key skills provided by a Paramedic.
EMT (or EMT-Basic) is the entry level for operational volunteers. After gaining experience as an EMT, entry-level volunteers may choose to receive additional training and experience and advance to the AEMT or Paramedic level.
EMTs of all levels are eligible to take additional specialized training to staff the heavy rescue truck, boat operations, bike team and special events.
Already a locally-authorized EMS provider in another Loudoun County Fire and Rescue volunteer organization and want to also run with Sterling Rescue? Fill out an interest form and ask about our Associate Operational Member membership. You can maintain your membership in your existing organization and run with us on a regular basis.
Membership Requirements for Operational Volunteers:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Be able to pass a criminal background and driving check
- Be able to pass a full physical (NFPA1582)
- Take all required orientation and training courses
- Run weekly duty shift or obtain coverage if absent
- Adhere to all Loudoun County Fire Rescue and Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad policies, protocols and procedures.
- Maintain current certifications
Successful EMTs have these personal traits and qualities:
- Stay calm under pressure
- Communicate clearly orally and in writing
- Be personable and have a friendly attitude
- Be dependable and work well in a team
- Be open-minded and adaptable to change
- Be empathetic and compassionate
- Be willing to learn
- Have integrity
What are the expectations of the Operational Volunteers?
- First and foremost, everyone is expected to be a professional. Our behavior should instill confidence in the community and provide the highest standards of patient care.
- Your volunteer position should be viewed the same way you would a career position and you will be expected to follow department policies and procedures.
- Volunteers are expected to stand duty as a part of a crew on a regular basis. Duty obligations are just that: obligations. We need you to be where you are scheduled to be, on time and ready to work.
- Maintain current Virginia OEMS and AHA CPR certifications.
- Volunteers over 21 years of age are also expected to serve as ambulance and support vehicle drivers. Driver’s training and emergency vehicle operations training will be provided.
- All members attend one or two mandatory events each year (Open Houses in May and October), as well as monthly General Membership Meetings.
- Each duty crew must check the equipment for readiness and perform their assigned cleaning chore (building and truck)
- Critical thinker and problem-solver
- Other requirements include: answering inquiries from the public; attending monthly training meetings; and performing at least 12 hours of stand-by at public events.
If this position interests you, please look at our application process to proceed or apply today.
Serves as an assistant to the Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad (SVRS) Treasurer on financial, budget and audit tasks. May also support the SVRS Secretary on administrative tasks and assist with Public Relations events, as needed. The expected time commitment is 3-5 hours per week.
Duties include:
- Strict adherence to all SVRS policies
- Assist Treasurer in coding invoices for payment
- Assist Treasurer with maintaining vehicle maintenance records
- Assist Treasurer with Annual Fund drive
- Respond to financial questions by President, Chief or other volunteer members
- Assist Treasurer with the preparation of annual budget
- Assist Treasurer with annual audit
- Assist Secretary as needed
- Assist with Public Relations events as needed
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience as a bookkeeper or other accounting professional
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Experience with Quickbooks, Excel and Microsoft Word
- Available 3-5 hours a week
- Works well with a team
- Organized and self-motivated
If this position interests you, please look at our application process to proceed or apply today.
Social Media Coordinator (Administrative)
The Social Media Coordinator is responsible for collaborating with the Marketing team, Social Media Specialist(s), and Public Relations/Community Engagement team to develop and maintain a successful social media presence across multiple platforms, is the chair of the Social Media Team, and reports to the President. The expected time commitment is 3-4 hours per week.
Duties include:
- Strict adherence to SVRS’ Social Media Policy
- Thorough knowledge of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
- Understand KPIs and define them specifically for SVRS’ social media platforms
- Collaborate with the Marketing team, Social Media Specialist(s) and Public Relations/Community Engagement team to develop and maintain successful social media efforts
- Ensure consistency of posts across platforms
- Monitor all social media content and ensure posted comments are replied to or referred for action as needed
- Track and report the performance of the social media efforts
- Maintain knowledge of social media technologies
- Use social media marketing tools
- Track member and community engagement and search engine optimization (SEO) to optimize content
- Mentor, train and motivate a team of Social Media Specialist(s) and Reporters
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- One or more years of experience as a Social Media Coordinator or similar role
- Proficient in business posts on social media platforms
- Understand SEO and web traffic data
- Understand social media KPIs
- Familiar with web page design and publishing
- Must be able to multitask
- Critical thinker and problem-solver
- Works well with a team
- Organized and self-motivated
- Excellent time management
- Exceptional communication and relationship building
If this position interests you, please look at our application process to proceed or apply today.
Social Media Specialist (Administrative)
The Social Media Specialist is responsible for overseeing one or more of SVRS’ social media platforms, creating posts, replying to comments, is a member of the Social Media team, and reports to the Social Media Coordinator. The expected time commitment is 3-4 hours per week.
Duties include:
- Strict adherence to SVRS’ Social Media Policy
- Collaborate with the Marketing team, Social Media team and Public Relations/Community Engagement team to develop and publish social media posts on SVRS’ platforms
- Ensure consistency of posts across platforms
- Follow conversations on the internet while interacting with the public
- Monitor trending hashtags and topics while finding unique ways to integrate them into SVRS’ brand
- Monitor all social media content and ensure posted comments are replied to or referred for action as needed
- Track and report the performance of the social media efforts
- Maintain knowledge of social media technologies
- Use social media marketing tools
- Encourage greater member and community social media participation
- Identify opportunities to influence positive public perception of SVRS through audience participation
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience as a Social Media Specialist or similar position
- Thorough knowledge of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
- Understanding of social media KPIs, web traffic metrics and SEO
- Familiarity with publishing and web design
- Ability to use social media for positive public and brand awareness
- Strong critical thinking, interpersonal, communication time-management and problem-solving skills
- Works well with a team
- Organized and self-motivated
- Exceptional at communication and building relationships
Social Media Specialist (Administrative)
If this position interests you, please look at our application process to proceed or apply today.
Social Media Reporter (Administrative)
Duties include:
- Strict adherence to SVRS’ Social Media Policy
- Developing concepts for content, to include key points/information to be communicated and identifying the need for photos/videos to accompany text
- Creating engaging original text to communicate content to viewers
- Designing and conducting interviews with a diverse range of people, to accurately and effectively communicate the interviewed person’s experience, perspectives, and viewpoints to viewers
- Identify opportunities to influence positive public perception of SVRS through high quality, interesting social media content
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- Works well independently and with a team
- Organized and self-motivated
- Oral and written communication skills
- Able to quickly establish rapport with individuals and teams, to maximize cooperation and support for SVRS content gathering efforts
- Knowledge of social media platforms including websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and how to develop content appropriate for each platform
If this position interests you, please look at our application process to proceed or apply today.
Financial Assistant (Administrative)