Training
Operational firefighting and emergency medical response are a volunteer activity that requires a lot of time and dedication. Being a member of a response team takes time, training, and trust. While we welcome new members into our system routinely, it takes time to build a level of trust.
Citizen Expectation
When a resident or guest of Chesterfield County calls 911, they expect responders who are trained and proficient to handle whatever emergency they are experiencing.
You need to be ready to meet these expectations. You must
- be highly trained and competent members.
- expect that fire and ems training will require a lot of reading, study, and physical activity.
- anticipate the enormous amount of time and dedication required to complete.
The reward at the end is knowledge and certifications that can transform your life to something bigger than yourself and start you on a path of service to others.
Requirements
The following are the basic training requirements of volunteer members
Requirements Non-Operational Volunteers
- NIMS - NIMS 100, and NIMS 700
- HIPAA
Requirements for Operational Volunteers
- NIMS – NIMS 100, NIMS 200, NIMS 700, and NIMS 800
- HIPAA
- EMT (for rescue squad members, or those who wish to become firefighters)
- Firefighter 1 and 2 (for those who wish to become firefighters)
- EVOC (Optional for those who wish to drive apparatus)
- NIMS Classes
- HIPAA Training
- EMT
- Firefighter 1 / Firefighter 2
- Emergency Vehicle Operators Certification (EVOC)
NIMS Classes
Chesterfield Fire and EMS requires all volunteer members to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. This system was devised after the events of 9/11/2001 to help coordinate multi-jurisdictional response to large scale incidents where agencies would send resources to assist, giving all responders a common means to communicate and coordinate resources and minimize duplication of effort.
Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) mandates that all persons affiliated with a fire or ems agency be trained and compliance is tied to federal Homeland Security grant monies.
Members in both fire and rescue squads are required to have the following
- Class type: Online with Target Solutions
- Administrative - NIMS 100, NIMS 700
- Operational - NIMS 100, NIMS 200, NIMS 700, NIMS 800
- Class completion: Passing of course exam (can take multiple times) – certification
- Send a copy of certificate to Target Solutions (our record keeping platform for fire and ems members credentials.)
HIPAA Training
Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes national standards to protect the privacy of individuals’ medical records and other personal health information. It also applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically.
Why do we require our administrative member to take the HIPAA training? All our agencies bill for ambulance transports, and send and receive patient information electronically, therefore, we are subject to federal HIPAA law. All members of Chesterfield Fire and EMS along with our volunteer rescue squads must complete HIPAA training.
- Class type: Online – Target Solutions
- Class completion: Passing of written test - Certification
Note: Once you have completed the class, that information is sent automatically to Target Solutions and you will receive credit. Members only need to complete this class once unless an update is sent out. You will be notified and required to complete the update.
“What you see here or hear here, needs to stay here when you leave here.” Jim Kelly former member and HIPAA training program host
EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is the base certification level recognized by Chesterfield Fire and EMS and the rescue squads. Members who are not EMT’s can play a limited role with the squad or fire company until that certification is achieved.
- Class type: College Level
- Length of class: 4 months (over 160 classroom instruction hours and hands-on training)
- Hybrid* classes are available
- Class completion: Passing of hands-on skills test and written exam - certification
*Hybrid class means there will be classroom training as well as online classes.
Requirements
- Must enjoy reading.
- Must be a good student.
- Must be good with time-management.
- Must be committed.
Note: Please understand that this course is not for everyone. If you are a poor reader, a marginal student, or you simply don’t have the time to commit to the class, you will find it very difficult to successfully complete the course and pass the testing. However, if you can keep up with the reading and have time to commit, you can be successful!
Certification
Once you earn your EMT certification, you will receive a “National Registry EMT” card. The Virginia Office of EMS will recognize that certification and provide you with a Virginia EMT certification card.
Chesterfield Fire and EMS and our rescue squads do not require you to maintain your National Registry EMT certification (expires in 2 years), but we do expect that you maintain your Virginia EMT certification (expires in 4 years).
Certification Renewal
To renew your certification, you will need to complete 40 hours of continuing education during the 4-year certification period. Once you have completed the required hours (some of those hours are topic specific and some are flexible), you automatically renew for four more years.
Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2
Firefighter training is required of fire volunteers who wish to become part of a suppression team responding to and engaging in firefighting activities. Chesterfield Fire and EMS provides recruit school format training to our volunteer members.
- Class type: Hybrid*
- Length of class: 5-6 months
- Class Schedule: Meets twice weekly, and at least 2 Saturdays
*Hybrid class means there will be classroom training as well as online classes.
Requirements
- Must have a computer.
- Must have reliable internet service.
- Must have the discipline to keep up with required assignments.
Note: You can volunteer for a fire company and not be a firefighter – you can opt to be an EMS member and respond on the engine or ambulance as allowed by your company officer. Remember that 80% of our call load is EMS!
Emergency Vehicle Operators Certification (EVOC)
This is an optional course for Members who wish to drive emergency apparatus. The course is designed to help hone your driving skills and increase your awareness of potential hazards while operating under extreme conditions. This class does not teach you to drive, however it will improve the way you operate a vehicle keeping everyone safer.
- Class type: Class and Cone Course
- Length of class: 16 classroom instruction; 8 hands-on hours
- Class completion: EVOC certification
Certification
Once you earn the EVOC certification, you can begin driving with qualified members of your agency in an on-the-job training program that starts with non-emergency driving and moves to emergency response.
The final clearance process rests with your agency and their policy on clearing emergency drivers. In most cases, it involves a more restrictive cone course and an on the road commentary driving session.
Note: As you might imagine, driving emergency vehicles requires skill and a calm demeanor. The safety of the crew, and sometimes a patient, is in your hands. Driving vehicles is NOT covered under the Good Samaritan Law. It is important to recognize just how serious this business is, and how even though we are volunteers, we must always act professionally.