How Can I Volunteer with PVFC?

As a child, do you remember when all you wanted to do was become a firefighter?  After growing up, we find that many adults still wonder what it would be like to don firefighting gear and go screaming down the road in a fire engine with lights and sirens responding to emergencies. As an operational volunteer at PVFC, you will not have to wonder anymore as you can become a volunteer firefighter/EMT and experience the thrill of helping others in their time of need.

PVFC firefighters/EMTs are all professionally trained free of charge, assigned to a operational duty crew, and participate directly in emergency response activities. These firefighter/EMTs serve in one of the busiest and most professional volunteer fire companies in the western end of Loudoun County.  As a firefighter/EMT you will respond to structural fires, brush fires, auto accidents, medical emergencies, gas leaks, car fires, elevator entrapments, rescues, and other emergency situations.

To be eligible for becoming a volunteer firefighter/EMT, you must meet all of the following core requirements:

• Be 16 years of age at the time of application.
  • You must secure parental permission for membership if under 18 years of age.
• Be able to pass a NFPA 1582 Physical Exam. What is that? Find out more about the NFPA 1582 physical health check.
• Be able to pass a criminal history and driver’s license check. A background check to include fingerprinting and a criminal and traffic check will be completed.
• Read, write, and speak the English language proficiently.

Individuals who meet all core requirements and who are interested in operational membership must complete PVFC's application process, a Loudoun County physical examination, and a range of firefighting training courses, including:

• PVFC Cleared-to-ride program.
• NFPA Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Operations course.
• NFPA Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certifications.
• NFPA Mayday Firefighter Down course.
• NFPA Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) Emergencies course.

No experience is necessary – training is free and is provided through classroom learning, practical instruction, and probationary participation with your assigned duty crew and the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue fire academy.

Administrative associate members are the ones behind the scenes of PVFC, providing the non-emergency services that support the daily operations and mission of the department. PVFC needs individuals to lead and assist in many areas and with many jobs, including:

• Community Relations and Education: Participate in PVFC events, fundraisers, and station activities to assist in promoting fire safety and awareness of PVFC and what we do.
• Financial and Document Management: Management of our scholarship program, historical research and documentation, record keeping, bookkeeping, database admiration, executive assisting.
• Fundraising, Publicity, and Marketing: Grant writing, article writing and placement, graphic design, website and social media management, event planning and project management, and corporate sponsorship program managers.
• Recruitment and Membership: Volunteer coordinators, recruitment activities coordinator, retention/appreciation event planners, awards and recognition manager, survey coordinator.
• Logistics and Building Management: Organizers, logisticians, and experienced building maintenance professionals.

Most of the Associate Membership work is done through a committee structure. Getting involved in a committee is the best way to engage as an associate member. Associate members are very valuable as they allow the operational members to focus on the emergency responses and training instead of being taxed with various administrative responsibilities. Once you apply, we will discuss the current committee structures and where you can best fit in!

To be eligible for becoming a volunteer associate administrative member, you must meet all of the following core requirements:

• Be 16 years of age at the time of application.
  • You must secure parental permission for membership if under 18 years of age.
• Be able to pass a criminal history and driver’s license check. A background check to include fingerprinting and a criminal and traffic check will be completed.
• Read, write, and speak the English language proficiently.