Serving as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT in Fairfax County puts you in the thick of the action on all manner of emergencies. From car fires to swift water rescues or hazardous materials emergencies, our volunteer Firefighter/EMTs can be found everywhere the FCFRD is active, operating side-by-side with career personnel of this world-class department to save lives and ensure our community has the best possible emergency services.

Volunteer Firefighter/EMTs receive the same intense and physically demanding training as the career staff of the FCFRD, and they perform the same operational roles. In addition to riding as front-line (“minimum staffing”) providers on fire engines and ambulances, once they have completed their initial training, they can move on to become paramedics, engine drivers, unit officers, instructors, swift water rescue technicians, technical rescue technicians, and command officers. Volunteers also attend advanced firefighting schools for ladder truck operations and rescue squad operations. In addition, some volunteers are members of Fairfax County’s international urban search and rescue team, also known as Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1). VA-TF1 is a specially trained team of career and volunteer fire and rescue personnel with expertise in the rescue of victims from collapsed structures, following a natural or man-made catastrophic event. Through agreements with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Agency for International Development, VA-TF1 sends teams to assist at emergencies throughout the U.S. and the world, while maintaining a constant operational readiness as a resource for the residents of Fairfax County.

Start the Journey

Volunteer departments are currently accepting applications for those interested in becoming Firefighter/EMTs. We encourage anyone who ever thought about becoming a firefighter and who is up for a challenge to contact a volunteer department and learn more about this unique experience.

Becoming a volunteer Firefighter/EMT is not for everyone. To be eligible, you must be in excellent physical condition and be able to complete the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) to demonstrate your fitness. You must also be willing to commit to a demanding training schedule. For volunteers with no prior experience, the training process takes between 12 – 18 months. (In some cases, those with prior experience or certification can transfer their certification into Fairfax County, shortening the process.) Recognizing the importance of emergency medical skills, all Fairfax County firefighters must first train to be EMS providers and maintain this certification throughout their tenure.

Training Schedule:

The following is a brief overview of the initial training process for EMS-only volunteers. All training classes are held on nights and weekends, in recognition of the fact that our volunteers have many other commitments in addition to volunteering.

Volunteer In-Station Initiation Training (VISIT) – This is an in-station orientation program (taught by each volunteer department) to familiarize new members with the volunteer department and its fire station, equipment, and procedures. Duration: approximately 30 days (While each station has its own procedure for VISIT, the course usually involves between 8 – 12 hours of instruction.)

Level I – Also known as Initial Emergency Response Training, Level 1 is taught at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Training Academy. The course gives new members an introduction to the world of emergency services and details the operations of the FCFRD as a whole. You will also learn basic emergency provider skills such as CPR, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and use of a fire extinguisher, enabling you to ride as an observer on ambulances and fire engines. Duration: 30 days (Evening classes one night each week plus occasional classes on Saturday or Sunday mornings. 40 hours of total instruction.)

Physical Exam – A thorough physical will be conducted at the Fairfax County Occupational Health and Safety Center. This exam will test your ability to handle the stresses of being a Firefighter/EMT. A passing physical is required in order to continue your volunteer training and participate as an operational volunteer.

EMT-B Class – This is a Virginia EMT-B (basic) certification course that meets national standards laid out by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to provide basic life support (BLS) care and function independently in a medical emergency. Students learn how to take vital signs, properly stabilize patients, deliver babies in an emergency, and treat traumatic injuries or life-threatening medical emergencies in a pre-hospital setting. Duration: 3 months (Classes at the Fire and Rescue Academy on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Sunday mornings. 120 hours of total instruction.)

Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) – EVOC teaches you the fundamentals of emergency vehicle operations, including applicable laws and safety procedures. It is required before being allowed to drive apparatus in emergency conditions. Duration: 1 month (2 nights of evening classes, followed by in-station driving practice and a final driving test. 12 hours of total classroom instruction and testing.)

Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) - CPAT is designed to enable fire departments to test whether recruits are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes. In consists of eight separate events that must be performed in sequence in under 10 minutes 20 seconds. To learn more about CPAT, visit the following link.

Firefighter I/II Class - Firefighter I/II is a national certification course that teaches the basics of firefighting and exceeds the standards for the National Fire Prevention Association’s Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Students learn skills such as ropes and knots, ladders, search and rescue, fire behavior, fire suppression, vehicle extrication, high-rise firefighting, and hazardous material operations. Duration: 5 months (Classes at the Fire and Rescue Academy on Tuesday and Thursday nights and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. 300+ hours of total instruction.)

The training schedule above outlines the basic process for becoming a volunteer Firefighter/EMT in Fairfax County. The process is extremely rewarding, but requires commitment and dedication over the course of months and years. To become a competent provider, volunteers must also spend time riding on fire engines and ambulances during emergencies and continuously practicing and enhancing their skills.