Why Volunteer?
Volunteer to help your community. Our membership are made up of a diverse set of skills, backgrounds, and abilities. Volunteering as an Firefighter or as an EMT is a life changing opportunity and a great way to give back to the community.
If not you, who? If not now, when?
STVFD is always in need of new volunteers. Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding way to serve your community? Are you willing to learn and train hard, developing the skills that you will use to save lives? Are you ready to become part of a family dedicated to helping others? If so, we want YOU to join our brigade.
Your training will begin on your first shift, when you are given a red Probationary Firefighter helmet. From that point on, you’ll respond to emergency calls with your crew. As you learn firefighting skills – connecting to a fire hydrant, handling a hose line, deploying a ladder – you’ll be given more and more responsibility on scene, until you earn the black helmet of a full Firefighter. You’ll learn how to keep a level head and help citizens in our community when they need it the most!
At the same time, you’ll become part of a family of firefighters. The camaraderie that exists in the fire service is unmatched. Our fire station is a place where friends come to hang out or work out. For students, it’s a (sometimes) quiet place to study. It’s a place where members take pride in being ready at a moment’s notice.
Steps to Membership
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Fill out the interest form below and/or email join@stvfd.org. Someone from the membership committee will arrange a introductory meeting to discuss expectations, timeline, and next steps.
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This meeting is very informal and more for you to learn how you can get involved in Fire/Rescue.
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Once the introductory meeting is completed, you will receive a link to sign up for ride-alongs.
These are four 4-hour ride-alongs and one 12 hour overnight shift.
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Upon completion of the 5th ride-along, the membership committee will be in contact about scheduling preferences and crew assignments.
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We require all members to pass a Physical Ability Test (PAT), which consists of the following in under 10 minutes:
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3 minutes on stair climber with a weighted vest/SCBA (air pack)
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Farmers carry 25 lb KB 100 feet
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Drag 165 lb dummy 100 feet with 1 turn
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Drag a charged 1 3/4 hose for 100 feet
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10x overhead press with 24' ladder (ladder feet against a wall)
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New members are voted in on the third Monday of every month. Prospective members are introduced to the brigade, voted on and assigned to a duty night.
New members come under review on their third and sixth months. Full membership is granted pending fingerprinting, criminal background check and a Virginia Line of Duty Act (LODA) physical examination.
Schedule a ride-along!
We encourage anyone who is interested in Fire/Rescue to come ride along with a shift. Your first ride-along will be 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on any day of the week.
Even if you decide that firefighting isn’t for you, you’ll come away with a better understanding of how emergency services work in your community. (Plus, we have some great cooks, so dinner is usually top-notch.)
If you decide you want to become a firefighter, our membership process starts with completing 5 observational ride-alongs. These are four 4-hour ride-alongs and one 12 hour overnight shift.
The ride-along process allows us to get to know you, and gives you the time to make sure STVFD is right for you.
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See our FAQ below for more information!
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To set up a ride along, please fill out the google form below or send an email to join@stvfd.org for more information!
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Requirements
Anyone over the age of 18, in good physical condition, with the desire to serve their community, is eligible for membership. No previous experience is required. All training and equipment will be provided, free of charge.
Upon completion of a Ride-along process prospective members will be assigned a crew based on crew availability and the prospective members schedule.
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Members serve one duty shift per week (6:00 PM until 6:00 AM) and one rotating weekend shift every five weeks.
Training opportunities
All of our volunteers are eligible to receive Fire-Rescue training at no cost! We do not require any certifications for probationary membership. Classes you can sign up for include:
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Firefighter 1 & 2
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Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B)
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Hazardous Material Operations
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Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC)
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Vehicle Rescue Technician
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Technical Rescue
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Duty Crews
Day Crew - ACFR Career Staff: Monday Through Friday 0600 to 1800 (excluding holidays)
A Crew - Sunday Nights: 1800 Sunday to 0600 Monday
B Crew - Monday Nights: 1800 Monday to 0600 Tuesday
C Crew - Tuesday Nights: 1800 Tuesday to 0600 Wednesday
D Crew - Wednesday Nights: 1800 Wednesday to 0600 Thursday
E Crew - Thursday Nights: 1800 Thursday to 0600 Friday
F Crew - Every other Friday/Saturday: 1800 Friday to 1800 Saturday
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Crews take turns covering the weekend and have either a 24 hour or 48 hour weekend shift every 5 weeks depending if F crew is scheduled.
STVFD Membership Frequently Asked Questions
What does STVFD do?
STVFD is a volunteer fire department that provides fire suppression, rescue, and first response medical support. We do not operate ambulances. Most members serve in both firefighting and EMS roles.
Do I need to be certified to apply?
No. You do not need any certifications to begin the application process. If accepted, STVFD provides training at no cost to members.
Can I volunteer as an EMT only?
At this time we are not accepting any EMS only members. Because we do not run ambulances, our members are expected to participate in both firefighting and EMS. If you are seeking an EMS-only experience, we recommend applying to an ambulance agency such as Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS), Western Albemarle Rescue Squad (WARS), Earlysville, or East Rivanna.
Will STVFD pay for my EMT course?
Yes, but only for active members who also complete fire training. We do not sponsor EMT class seats for EMS-only applicants.
What is the time commitment?
New members should expect to attend weekly training and actively participate in scheduled duty shifts. Most student members pull evening, night, or weekend duty crews. Consistent participation is expected throughout the year.
I am a UVA student. Can I volunteer with STVFD?
Yes. Many of our members are UVA students. Our shift schedule is flexible enough to work with academic demands, but you should be prepared to commit reliable time and remain involved for at least two years.
I do not have a car. Can I still join?
Yes, but transportation can be a challenge. Many student members coordinate carpools once assigned to a duty crew. Consistent transportation is your responsibility. We will be able to assist with transportation needs until you are able to find a carpool.
How competitive is membership?
STVFD receives a large number of applications, especially in the fall. Applicants who show strong interest in both Firefighting and EMS are most likely to be successful. Beginning ride-alongs early is strongly encouraged.
I am under 18. Can I join?
Full membership requires you to be 18 years old. Applicants under 18 may only participate if:
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They are enrolled in the CATEC Fire Science program, or
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They are directly sponsored by a department chief
Otherwise, we recommend applying once you turn 18 and will be in the area for at least two years.
How long does training take?
Firefighter and EMT training are each approximately one semester in length. Many members complete one certification first and the other afterward. Regular station training continues throughout membership.