Celebrate our Volunteer and Career EMS Providers during National EMS Week

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is recognizing 2023 EMS Week from May 21-27, honoring and recognizing emergency medical services providers across the United States.

Virginia Beach EMS is the most successful third-service EMS agency of its kind, answering more than 53,000 calls for service annually with a combined career-volunteer workforce. As a City of Virginia Beach department, EMS partners with the 10 volunteer rescue squads of Virginia Beach, as well as the Marine Rescue Team, to provide quality pre-hospital patient care, education and rescue services that preserve life, reduce suffering, and promote safety of the people in our community.

Those services go beyond just ambulance staffing. VBEMS provides medical coverage at large special events and marine rescue services, assists the Police Department through the utilization of SWAT Medics, keeps the Sandbridge beaches safe in the summer through the Sandbridge Lifeguard program, offers free first aid and related education to the Virginia Beach community and works alongside other public safety professionals in Virginia Beach.

This unique EMS system is incredibly beneficial to the residents and visitors of Virginia Beach. The Department of EMS and contributions from the volunteer rescue squads (VB Rescue), the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation and Council of Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squads allow everyone to receive emergency medical services and emergency transport at no cost to the patient. In 2022, the value of volunteer service on ambulances was worth more than $11 million, and that doesn’t include the value of each ambulance, which are all owned by VB Rescue volunteer agencies.

While we thank and recognize our amazing EMS career and volunteer members, we also encourage members of our community to serve as a volunteer with one of our rescue squads. The VB Rescue volunteer squads are always recruiting, and training is offered at no cost to those who volunteer after earning their EMT certification. Members of our community can also serve as an administrative volunteer, helping with medical supplies, recruiting, retention and more.

Joining Virginia Beach EMS and VB Rescue is incredibly easy. Visit ems.virginiabeach.gov/volunteer to learn more and start your application today! You can also contact Virginia Beach EMS at vbems@vbgov.com.