Overview
What could be more satisfying and rewarding than helping others in their moment of need? Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have an opportunity to help others in extremely difficult times, often when they are very ill or severely injured. We train to be our best on the day that may be someone’s worst. If you are looking for a way to give back to the community and help others who are truly in need, this is it.
The Nokesville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department provides pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to one of the largest areas of Prince William County. Our four ambulances cover almost a 72 square mile area of Bristow and Nokesville, comprised of both dense subdivisions and rural farmlands. We also service the neighboring communities and occasionally provide mutual aid services to Fairfax and Fauquier Counties.
We transport our patients to the closest appropriate medical facility, often to either Prince William Medical Center or Haymarket Medical Center. When our patients require specialty care, such as advanced trauma services, we often utilize medevac helicopters, such as AirCare or MedStar. These flight services rapidly transport patients to one of our nearest Level 1 Trauma Centers, either INOVA Fairfax Hospital or MedStar Trauma Services at The Washington Hospital Center.
Training
As a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), you will go through a very intense training process in preparation to competently care for the injured and ill. All of the basic training is provided at no cost to you.
EMS training starts with our "Red Hat" recruit training. The term "Red Hat" comes from the red helmet assigned to new trainees (to help others visually identify you as a trainee), and it is the designation you hold until approved and released as an EMT-B and ambulance attendant.
The Red Hat program familiarizes the trainee with our apparatus, equipment, and most importantly, crew and patient safety concepts. This training takes place at our station using our apparatus and is led by experienced members of our department. This training is usually scheduled and completed within 30 days of being accepted as a member of NVFD.
In parallel with your Red Hat training, you will be scheduled to attend four "core classes". These classes are required before starting your EMT-B course and typically are hosted at the Prince William County Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) in Nokesville, VA. The core classes include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers, infection control, and hazardous materials awareness.
After completion of the core training classes at the training academy, EMS trainees will complete training at the academy to obtain their national and state-level EMT-B certifications. The EMT-B is trained to provide Basic Life Support (BLS), including wound care, splinting, oxygen administration, respiratory assistance, CPR, and many other medical interventions. EMT-B classes generally take about 4 months to complete and occur on weeknights and some weekends. Upon completion of the class, you will take a written national exam and a VA state-administered "hands-on" practical exam.
Once you complete the EMT-B course, you will begin a brief "in-station" internship, working under the supervision of a more experienced crew member. Once released by the Rescue Chief, you begin serving in roles of increasing responsibility on an ambulance crew, such as an ambulance driver and an ambulance officer.
The EMT-Basic (EMT-B) certification is not the end of the road. Advanced levels of EMT certifications are available for those who are interested, including the EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I) and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P). Individuals with EMT-I or EMT-P certifications are trained to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) to patients, including care in cardiac emergencies, trauma injuries, and other life-threatening medical conditions.
Join Us!
If EMS sounds exciting to you and you think you have the mental and physical strength to meet the demands of the profession, join our volunteer team to serve the community! All training and necessary equipment is provided by the Nokesville Vol. Fire & Rescue Department with a commitment to maintain good operational status with the department.