Rescue Squad Volunteer Application Process

Our four rescue squads are separate entities from the County Fire Department.  These agencies are part of the first responder professionals who answer 911 calls for service on a regular basis, dispatched from the Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center, often with a career fire engine or truck.

Our volunteer application process is thorough. It is not unusual for it to take up to a month to get into an agency.  A lot of that depends on you.  If you complete the requirements as they are presented to you, the process will go more quickly.

Step 1 – Face to Face Meeting

You will start with an agency meeting. You will be provided with the necessary form, which will vary depending on the squad, but typically include –  

• Application
• Release of Information Form for Criminal Background Check
• Drug and Alcohol Acknowledgement Form
• Copy of Driver’s License
• DMV Request for Driving Record Release Form

Step 2 - Background Checks

The completed application will be submitted to the CFEMS Volunteer Coordinator for processing.

• You will be contacted by the coordinator to set a time for fingerprinting. This is required along with the Virginia Department of Social Services Background Investigations form, which will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Social Services for a Child Protective Services Background Check to be started.
• Results usually takes several weeks.

Step 3 - Non-Operational / Administrative Roster

Once you have successfully completed the background process,

• Administrative volunteers will be added to the Non-operational roster
• you will be assigned a virtual seat and assignments in Target Solutions, the CFEMS online training platform

Target Solutions is used to deliver a variety of training topics and our members certifications. You will receive an email that contains

• access and login information
• instruction to change your password
• training class instructions and assignments

Once completed, you are ready to serve!  

Volunteers interested in an operational position would move to the next step, pre-volunteer drug testing.

Step 4 - Pre-Volunteer Drug Testing

All operational rescue volunteers must complete a drug screen provided by our contract vendor.  The rescue squads have membership requirements that differ slightly than the fire department.  Physicals differ between the squads, but all participate in pre-volunteer drug testing, and random drug and alcohol testing. 

• The CFEMS Volunteer Coordinator will email you the details required along with the drug testing form for you to take with you for your drug test. 
• Upon successful completion of the drug test, you will be added to the Operational Roster for the rescue squad you are joining.  All operational members of a volunteer rescue squad are required to participate in random drug and alcohol testing.

Step 5 - Operational Roster

Once you have successfully completed the drug testing process,

• you will be added to the Operational Roster
• you will respond to incidents on apparatus
• you will provide service based on your certifications 

The above is determined by the rescue squad officer, who is the person in charge of the shift, or unit. They determine who is allowed to ride and what they are able to contribute at the incident scene. 

Note: This is why it is important to get to know the members in your crew. As you become more familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses the more you will be able to contribute. Remember that this is a team effort, and new members to the team need to assimilate before trust can be extended.