About VAVRS

The Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc. is a 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to volunteer rescue squads and other agencies interested in providing the finest in rescue and pre-hospital care.

The VAVRS was organized in 1935 in Roanoke, Virginia. Today we represent 328 volunteer EMS agencies, rescue squads, fire departments and specialty related agencies with over 18,000 members.



Types of Membership
•Unit Membership
•Associate Unit Membership
•Individual Membership
•Associate Membership
•Sustaining Membership



Benefits of being a VAVRS Member
•Training at YOUR agency without cost.
•A Instructor trainer program that allows you to develop instructor for your crews specific needs.
•A consortium of peers in which to share and trade ideas.
•A legislative committee that champions the causes of EMS during the General Assembly.
•The VAVRS Death Benefits Plan.
•An Annual Convention.
•District meetings.
•Competitions.



Mission Statement
"The VAVRS shall promote and assist member rescue squads in improving pre-hospital care in Virginia."

Pre-hospital care shall mean providing rescue functions and rendering of emergency care for patients outside the hospital.

The VAVRS shall help its members improve pre-hospital care by:
•Providing free training to it members.
•Improving communications and liaisons between agencies.
•Promoting legislation beneficial to pre-hospital providers.
•Providing management and assistance services.
•Promoting and recognizing pre-hospital providers.



The VAVRS currently offers certification in 16 classes.

•Basic and Light Duty Rescue Technician
•Basic Rescue Technician
•Basic Rescue Technician II
•Cave Rescue
•Emergency Vehicle Operator
•Farm Machinery Extrication
•Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness
•HTR School Bus Rescue
•Infectious Disease Control
•Search and Rescue
•Introduction to Swift Water Rescue
•Swift Water Rescue
•Vehicle Rescue Awareness
•Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations
•Vertical Rescue (Rescue Tech Level II)
•Advanced Vertical Rescue (Rescue Tech Level III)



Classes are also available for certification in:
•Patient Handling
•Patient Care Documentation
•Developing and implementing SOPs/SOGs



The Association also facilitates classes in:

•ALS and BLS Continuing Credit Hours
•Emergency Medical Technician
•EMS Leadership
•PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
•PADI Search and Rescue Diver
•Confined Space Rescue
The VAVRS has partnered with the Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services to offer cross certification for all participants of EVOC and Vehicle Rescue classes.