Join Us

In the meantime please read the information on the "Join Us" and the "Application Information" pages of the website for additional information.

Bradley J. Quin - Membership Committee
Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company
500 North Maple Avenue, Box 386
Purcellville, VA 20132

Station: 540-338-5961

H: 540-338-8075
C: 571-212-5256
www.purcellvillefire.org

Volunteering for fire and rescue service offers committed individuals the opportunity to experience one of today's most diverse and challenging professions while contributing to the community. The emergency services provided by Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company include providing prompt fire suppression, vehicle extrication (jaws of life), water rescues and other types of specialty rescues, and responding to other 911 dispatched calls. It's exciting, exhilarating and rewarding!

The personal rewards and satisfaction each volunteer receives from such service are as many and varied are there are individuals involved and they often defy adequate description. The sense of accomplishment after controlling a building fire, the good feeling that comes from providing compassionate care for accident victims, or the sense of fulfillment for teaching fire safety and prevention are but a few examples of the tangible personal benefits of volunteer service.

However, the benefits of volunteering don't all come from emergency action. Fire safety education is a key element of our work. Volunteers educate the public on many issues, including fire prevention and safety, health education, injury prevention and CPR.

As a long standing organization we are also an important part of our local community. As such we help organize and support many community events. We host an Open House each year and participate in many others throughout the community in an effort to reach out to citizens of Loudoun County. Volunteers organize and manage these events which are fun for all.

Step 1: Membership Application

Please click here for an application

Follow the instructions below to successfully complete a New Member Application. The application will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and brought to the Company membership for action. If you are offered probationary membership, the requirements for Company orientation and basic training will apply to you and are detailed separately. (See Step 2 below)

These requirements will be reviewed with you in detail during your application interview. Once you are assigned to crew your officer can assist with questions as can members of the Training Committee and Membership Committee.

1. Secure a copy of the New Member Application from the station or download one above.
2. Fill out the application completely and return it to the station and ask that it be put in the Membership Committee mailbox. A committee member will contact you directly to arrange for an interview.
3. New member applications are acted upon at general membership meetings only after you have completed your interview a criminal background check, a fingerprint background check and DMV check have been completed. Therefore, you must plan to complete the process in enough time to be scheduled for action at the meeting, usually a week prior to the membership meeting.
4. An interview with a member of the Membership Committee is a requirement of the process.
5. You should be present at the general membership meeting the evening action will be taken on your application. You will be asked to introduce yourself and to briefly express the reasons you seek membership in the Company. (Job or school obligations are acceptable reasons for missing the meeting.)
6. A membership vote on your application will be taken, and if you are offered probationary member status, you will be asked to remain after the meeting to begin the next step in the process.

Step 2: Probationary (New) Member Orientation

This part of the process is designed to orient you to Company and County administrative policies and procedures, and Company and County training required to get you the basic skills and knowledge you need to be 'cleared to ride.'  You will not be allowed to ride the Company's apparatus as member of your duty crew until you complete these steps.

1. Administrative Documents: You will complete a series of administrative documents required by the Company and the County immediately after the general membership meeting. A committee member will assist with this step and provide additional detail regarding the next steps.
2. Duty Crew Assignment: You will be assigned to a duty crew for the purpose of immersing yourself in Company activity and to enable you to become acquainted with Company operating procedures and practices. You are not cleared to ride on your crew until you complete all the following requirements.
3. Uniforms and Gear: You will be issued a Company tee shirt, polo shirt and pants for use on duty crew, and a helmet and fire gloves for basic training. You must wear your duty crew uniform to all training activities. Full PPE will be issued to you only upon completion of your cleared to ride requirements.
4. County Volunteer Orientation: You must sign up for and attend a County Volunteer orientation. They are offered monthly. Membership will provide you a schedule. You can check the County’s training web site for details.
5. Physical: You must schedule and pass an NFPA 1582 physical. Membership will provide you the necessary documents and forms in Step 1 above. It is your responsibility to schedule the physical as soon as possible. You will not be cleared to ride or do advanced training until the Company receives your clearance from the County. (Physicals are optional for Associate members.)
6. Training Requirements: You must complete the following training steps to be cleared to ride.
   1. You must sign up for and complete CPR and Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP) offered by the County, or through Co. 14. You should check the schedule of such courses on the County’s Training Corner on the web. Training Announcements (TAs) are also posted in the Training Room at the station. It is your responsibility to look for, and sign up for, this training.
   2. You will be provided a copy of the Cleared to Ride Manual. This will be the guide for your attending the required Company in-house training offered monthly which is designed to provide you the basic knowledge of policies, procedures and operations, including equipment, to be cleared to ride.
   3. The Training Committee conducts in-house "Clear-to-Ride on an training on a flexible monthly schedule. You must attend one block or combination of blocks and successfully complete them to be cleared-to-ride. Membership will provide you a schedule of the training. The Training Committee will provide you a course syllabus and content for the classes.
   4. You must complete the DHS NIMS/ICS 100/200/700/800 computer-based training. The Training Committee will assist you with this requirement.

Step 3: After Cleared to Ride

Once you have been signed off by the Training Committee and your officer as cleared to ride you will be issued full PPE and can begin the next steps in your training.

You will be provided a copy of the Probationary Fire Fighter Manual which will serve to supplement your advanced training and align with the County/State Fire Fighter Certification program.

Membership will provide you with a list of additional required County and State training that will lead to this certification.  There are specific course prerequisites, schedules and timing that need to be met to advance through the program.  Membership will provide you an overview of these requirements in your interview.  It is your responsibility to sign up for and successfully complete required training.  Failure to do so will jeopardize your probationary membership.

Because we are part of larger County and State fire and rescue system, there are requirements that must be met at each level. In addition to Company requirements that specify an advance commitment to participation, training and duty requirements, the following are general requirements for volunteer service in our County:

Must be 16 Years of Age
Pass an NFPA 1582 Physical Exam
Pass Criminal History Background Check
Secure a Fingerprint Background Check
Secure a Driving History Check
Read, Write and Speak the English Language

Additional requirements for maintaining active membership in the Company will be provided in your membership application interview