Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad - Spotsylvania County, Virginia

i) Why should I join? It is the most amazing feeling to be able to help someone in need, and to be part of an organization that by its very nature does so much to make the community a better place. There are other, more tangible, perks as well: the excitement of responding to a call, the rush of being ‘part of it’, and the pride of being a trained professional.

ii) What type of people volunteer? Our squad is made up of members of our community. They come from every walk of life. They are parents, brothers, sisters, and neighbors. Some come from medical backgrounds. Some are teachers. Some work in computers. They are the people you see every day as you go about your day. They are people who want to be part of something that is committed to serving the community and reaching out to ease those in distress.

iii) What are the benefits? If you ask every member of the Squad what the benefits are, no two answers will be exactly alike. The vast majority would say that serving their community, having the security of knowing what to do in an emergency, and being able to reach out to render aid and comfort when someone is in their darkest hour are the greatest benefits.

vi) What is the maximum age? There is no maximum age for squad members, and you can be a crewmember as long as you are physically capable. We have some members in their sixties who still pull regular duty shifts.

vii) What are the physical requirements? The Virginia State Office of Emergency Medical Services lists the following as it’s physical requirements; “Have no physical or mental impairment that would render them unable to perform all practical skills required for that level of certification”.

i) Why do you have shifts? Part of our commitment to the citizens of Spotsylvania County is to have our stations fully staffed when required. Unlike in the past when it was sufficient to respond to the station only when the pagers went off, modern response requirements necessitate crews to be “in the building” 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Having members commit to a specific shift allows us to meet these response requirements. The important thing is to remember that it is a serious commitment. Being a member of a rescue squad requires a level of commitment beyond that of most organizations. If you don’t show up to a meeting of the ladies home gardening club, it will not have any significant impact. If you don’t show up for a duty shift, it could have major consequences. If someone calls 911 and a unit cannot respond because you didn’t show up, it could cost that person his/her life.

iv) What if I have to travel for work or for vacation? You select what level of membership fits your work and travel requirements. Obviously, someone who travels extensively has less time to volunteer, as would someone who has the “pleasure” of working in northern Virginia. These people would not be able to commit to a large number of hours, and thus would select a membership type that requires a lower number of hours. We do not require that you run a specific time (i.e. every Thursday), only that you run a specific number of hourss. You select the days that you want to run, and simply schedule your shifts around your work and vacation commitments.

i) What are the different types of Emergency Medical Technicians? The number of different types of EMTs varies from state to state. All EMTs are required to know CPR. In Virginia, there are currently five different types, but things will change in the future based on the latest National Scope Of Practice model.

(1) First Responder - The first responder level knows first aid, and CPR, and is used mainly for firefighters. SVRS does not use any first responders. In the future, first responders will be known as Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)

(2) EMT - Basic (EMT-B). This is the entry level EMT. They have a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, along with a working knowledge of many of the diseases prevalent in the general population. They also are trained in bandaging wounds, and how to care for a multitude of different types of injuries. They can give a minimum number of drugs. In the future EMT-B will be identified as Emergency Medical Technicians.

(3) Advanced EMT (AEMT). AEMT is the first level that is considered “Advanced Life Support” (ALS). They can start IVs and give drugs, but are not trained to interpret cardiac rhythms. The number of drugs that can be given without checking with medical control (an emergency room doctor) varies between jurisdictions. If you put EMT expertise on a 1-20 scale, with 1 being an EMT-B and 10 being a paramedic, AEMT would be a 5.

(4) EMT - Intermediate (EMT-I). EMT-I used to be the most prevalent level of ALS care in the state of Virginia. They can start IVs, give drugs, take and interpret cardiac rhythms, and have extra training in cardiac, pediatric, and geriatric care. The vast majority of drugs can be given without consulting medical control. On the 1-10 scale, EMT-I would be an 9. Because the scope of practice for the EMT-I is so close to Paramedic, the EMT-I level is being phased out and Intermediate classes are no longer offered.

(5) EMT- Paramedic (EMT-P). This is the highest level of pre-hospital care. EMT-Ps require an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Like the EMT-I, paramedics can start IVs, give drugs, and interpret cardiac rhythms. Almost all drugs and pre-hospital medical interventions are available to the EMT-P without authorization from medical control. In the future, EMT-Ps will be known simply as "Paramedic".

(*) Critical Care/Flight/Advanced Practice (CC/AP). Critical Care Paramedic, Flight Paramedic, and Advanced Practice Paramedic are not a formal federal/state certifications, but increased levels of training required in some positions. Critical Care or Flight is required of most Flight Paramedics and Flight Nurses. It provides the advanced skills, medications, and procedures necessary for the high acuity patients that require air transport. While not recognized as a formal state certification, there are nationally recognized boards that test and certify these credentials. Advance Practice Paramedic requirements vary by locality, and testing/authorization is provided by local medical authorities. In Spotsylvania, only AP Paramedics are allowed to perform Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI).

ii) How much time is required to learn how to be an EMT-B? The state of Virginia requires a minimum of 111 hours of classroom and skills instruction, and 10 hours of Clinical/Field rotations, for a total of 121 hours of training. Most courses exceed this number, allowing them to cover extra material and have padding in case of weather related cancellations.

iii) How much does training cost? Because of the time and resources required to hold a class, the squad implemented a fee schedule for EMT classes. Once you pass the course and complete your probationary period, you can submit for reimbursement.

iv) How about continuing education? The state requires continuing education to make sure your skills and knowledge stays up to date. The squad covers most of the costs. The exception to this rule is if you have to travel overnight to take a course. The level of reimbursement for travel expenses varies depending on your membership level. As your level of certification increases, the number of required continuing education hours increases, while the amount of time you have to obtain the hours decreases.

i) Could I get hurt? Possibly. You're more likely to get hurt on duty than sitting at home watching TV, but less likely than going skydiving, dirt-bike racing, or driving on the Washington Beltway during rush hour. You have a much greater chance of getting injured playing any type of competitive sport, than you do as an EMT. An often-repeated EMS saying is “You cannot help the patient if you are injured yourself”. We have the equipment, skills, and training necessary to minimize any chance of injuries.

ii) What do members do between calls? Eat, sleep, study, watch TV, talk, play games, surf the web, practice skills, etc. Most of our stations have large screen TVs, cable, a computer with high-speed Internet and wireless access.

iii) Do I have to stay in the building while on duty? No, as long as the duty crew is ready to respond to a call on a moments notice. In practice, this means that the members can leave the building as long as the entire crew and the ambulance go together. Members do need to stay within the first due boundaries of the station they are on duty at.

iv) Will I lose a lot of sleep when I am on duty? That is a tricky question, and the answer is “it depends”. There is no guarantee that you will be able to sleep at night at ANY station, but generally, you are more likely to get a full night sleep at a rural station than you will at one of the suburban stations. Likewise, a weekday night is more likely to be quiet than a weekend night. On the other hand, Rescue Station 4 (Four Mile Fork) is the busiest station in the county. During the day the calls at RS4 come in on a regular basis, and even at night, it is not unusual to get 2-3 calls between midnight and 8 AM. Members who sign up for overnight shifts at RS4 normally plan to be awake a good portion of the night.

i) If I am not sure if I am having a medical emergency, is it ok to call the rescue squad building and just get some advice? Absolutely! We will be glad to help. However, the station phones are not meant for emergencies, and are not monitored continuously. If we are on a call, outside washing the trucks, etc, your call may go unanswered. When in doubt, call your doctor, or CALL 911.

ii) I know that I’m having a medical emergency. Can I call you directly? No! Please call 911. As with the previous question, we may not be in the station, and the 911-dispatch center can dispatch the closest AVAILABLE unit to your location. They can also dispatch additional units and can give pre-arrival instructions while we are in route.

iii) Should I call 911 or have someone drive me to the hospital? It depends on the nature of the problem. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe injuries, please CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. It’s also a good idea to call 911 if there are additional complications, such as if you are elderly and you are not sure you can help your spouse down from an upstairs bedroom. We have the equipment and knowledge to do this safely without injuring the patient or ourselves. On the other hand, if you have been sick for three days and just need to see a doctor, there is no need for you to be transported by an ambulance.

iv) Will a doctor see me sooner if I am transported by ambulance? Absolutely not! It is an urban legend that transport by ambulance gets quicker service at the hospital. All modern hospitals work on a “Triage” system, which prioritizes patients so the people with the most urgent medical problems are treated first.

v) When I call 911, how much does it cost? The squad does not charge for its services. Period. However, like many other jurisdictions, Spotsylvania County has instituted a revenue recovery program and mandated that all EMS services in the county participate. Your insurance company will be billed for the transport. For more information, please go to the Spotsylvania County website.

vi) Can I select which hospital I go to? Yes, to a point. Under the Rappahannock EMS Council protocols that Spotsylvania County operates under, patients should be taken to the "closest appropriate facility". However, at the discretion of the AIC, the county allows non-critical patients to select what hospital they are transported to. You can choose between the Spotsylvania Medical Center, the Emergency Department at Lee's Hill, or Mary Washington Hospital. A very small section at the western edge of the county can choose to go to Culpepper Memorial Hospital. Because of the need to maximize the availability of units, we cannot transport to Charlottesville or Richmond. Also, if the county is experiencing a high volume of EMS calls, units must go to the closest hospital so that they can return to service as quickly as possible. Critical patients MUST go to the closest appropriate hospital.

vii) What do you mean by "Closest Appropriate Facility" It means that some medical conditions require transport to a location that specializes in treatment for that condition, even if that location is NOT the closest hospital. Currently, Mary Washington handles all Trauma patients for the region, so patients with those types of problems will bypass closer facilities to go to Mary Washington. Likewise, the Emergency Department at Lee's Hill does not have a Catherization Lab, so STEMI patients (a type of heart attack), will go to either Mary Washington or Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.

viii) When I called 911, this person in jeans showed up in a pickup truck. Who is he? Much of Spotsylvania is still very rural, and even under the best of conditions, it might take a while for an ambulance to reach you. Because of this, SVRS allows off-duty members to use their own vehicles to respond to nearby emergency calls. A person in plain clothes and privately owned vehicle (POV) is a member who has elected to leave his/her bed, dinner, gardening, family and friends, etc. and come to your assistance. In an emergency, time counts, so he/she may not have taken the time to change clothes and go to the station to get an ambulance. With the advent of 24/7 staffing at all county stations, the frequencyof POV responses has significantly decreased.

x) I called 911 for an Ambulance, and the police came also. Why did they come? Police can be added to the call for several reasons. Any accident involving a motorized vehicle (including boats, dirt bikes, ATVs, etc) will have a law enforcement response. Any death that occurs outside a hospital also requires a police investigation, as well as any injury that is the result of a (possible) crime. If a person is mentally ill, and could pose a danger to himself or others, police will be added for the protection of all involved. Likewise, if there is (or has been in the past) any danger to the EMS personnel, such as a vicious dog, or a resident who has threatened responders in the past, police will secure the scene before allowing EMS personnel to enter. Police are also sent to any call where someone is reported to have an altered level of consciousness. Last but not least, all police are trained (at a minimum) in CPR and First Aid, and they will often drop by to lend a hand.

xi) Why did a firetruck came when I called 911? A firetruck is automatically added for several types of serious emergencies, including difficulty breathing, altered level of consciousness, and chest pain calls. This serves two purposes. First, it provides additional manpower if needed. For instance, the firefighters can bring the cot into the house while the EMS crews works on the patient. In the case of a serious emergency, a firefighter can drive the ambulance, allowing the driver/EMT to assist in back with patient care. Sometimes, the additional manpower is used to simply help load the patient into the ambulance. It's much easier for four people to lift a cot than it is for two.

Secondly, the firefighters can also start emergency care before the ambulance arrives on scene. Today, significantly more emergency calls are medical emergencies than are fire emergencies, so it's possible that the closest EMS unit will already be on a call. Also, EMS calls generally take more time when a transport is involved. Because of the time needed at the hospital to transfer the patient to the hospital's care, clean and restock the truck, and finish all the paperwork, even a "short" call will take an hour. If the call is in one of the rural parts of the county, for instance Partlow, the call can easily take 3 - 4 hours. Combine these factors, and it's possible that the closest available unit will be a firetruck, rather than an EMS unit, and the firetruck can start care immediately.

xii) One of my family members is being transported. Can I ride with him/her? Yes and no. A single family member can ride on the ambulance with the patient, but that person must ride in front with the driver. Even in the new "Monster Medic" units, the space in back is at a premium. The attendant might have to move around during treatment, and additional people in back can make this more difficult, especially if they are not EMS providers. Also, the way people handle the pressure and stress resulting from a medical emergency in the family varies from person to person. It’s much safer for all involved if the family member rides in the cab. The exception to this is when a minor is involved. At the discretion of the Attendant-In-Charge, a family member may ride in back if the patient is a minor.

xiii) A family member is being transported. Can I follow directly behind the ambulance? Only if the unit is not running emergency with lights and siren. At all times you must continue to obey all traffic laws. If the unit is running emergency with lights and siren, you CANNOT follow directly behind it. You must stay 500 ft. back from any ambulance that has it emergency lights on. Our drivers have special training for this type of driving, and our units have a multitude of lights designed to make our presence known. Neither is true of you. If you attempt to follow us through intersections against the traffic lights, you are breaking the law and could be charged with multiple traffic offenses, including reckless driving. More importantly, you are endangering yourself and others. The only thing worse than having a medical emergency in the family is to have TWO medical emergencies in the family. If we notice someone illegally following us while we are making an emergency transport, we WILL radio dispatch for police assistance.

i) I saw a helicopter come for an accident victim. Why did you do this? Severe injuries and burns require a level of care, expertise, and staffing, beyond what a local hospital can offer. There is the ”Golden Hour” in which a trauma victim’s chance of survival greatly increases if surgical intervention is started before that time period expires. Trauma Centers have Neurosurgeons, Orthopedic surgeons, and other specialists on site, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so a trauma patient can IMMEDIATELY start to get the medical care necessary. There are also specialized centers for such things as burns, pediatric patients, dive injuries, etc. Helicopter transport provides the speed to get the trauma patient to the trauma center in the least amount of time.

ii) A relative was flown out. What should I do? Patients from Spotsylvania County generally go to the trauma center at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, but they can also be sent to Richmond, Charlottesville, or Fairfax. Depending on the location in the county, type of injury, weather conditions, and existing workloads at the various trauma centers, helicopter crews will generally know were they are taking the patient prior to leaving the scene. Because of space constraints, the helicopter will not transport passengers along with the patient. If you are not present when the helicopter leaves, the squad members or police on scene will know the helicopters destination. PLEASE ask a friend or neighbor to drive you to the trauma center, as you will probably be upset and not be able to pay sufficient attention to your driving.

(1) Provide large, visible, house numbers. If your house sits near the street, please put up large house numbers in a location where they will be lit at night, and visible from the street. If the house is further back from the street, please put large reflective numbers on both sides of the mailbox or other signpost. We may have to look at the numbers at night in the rain, so the larger the number are, the better. A minimum of 2 inches in height is suggested, but 3 inches are preferred..

(2) Provide clear, wide access roads and/or driveways. In rural areas, we frequently encounter driveways and private roads that are overgrown, and have limited clearance. Just because you can drive your subcompact through does not mean we can drive an ambulance in. Overgrown roads can significantly slow our response.

(3) Create a “File of Life” if someone in the family has a long-term medical condition. This file contains a list of the patient’s vital information, including medical problems, medication, allergies, and doctors. We have special magnetic “File of Life” kits available that can be stuck to the refrigerator for easy access and updates. Alternatively, you can download this form and fill it out. Once complete, put it in an envelope (leave the envelope unsealed), write "File of Life" on the outside of the envelope, and stick it to the refrigerator with a magnet.

(4) Learn CPR and First Aid. These two are the most important steps you can take in advance. In the event of a medical emergency, CPR and First Aid can keep a person alive until we arrive. Please contact the American Heart Association or Red Cross for classes. (Note that SVRS frequently holds CPR classes, and everyone is welcome to register. However, the classes are geared toward health-care providers, and teach the use of equipment that is not available in the home)

(1) Light up the house and walkways. After you call 911, turn on the outside and inside lights. This will help to get our attention and also prevent us from tripping on the tricycle your child left on the front walkway.

(3) Make a list of the patient’s medical conditions, medications, and allergies. If the patient already has a “File of Life”, make sure it’s current, and any short-term problems and medications are added.

(4) Lock the dog up. This step is important, no matter how small or how friendly your dog is. Dogs are very sensitive to the emotional atmosphere in a house, and when you get anxious or excited, they also get excited. Frequently in an emotional atmosphere, dogs will be protective of their “family”, and treat EMS personal as enemies.

i) What is a DNR? A Do Not Resuscitate order is a medical/legal document the lists what advanced medical interventions should be performed on a person. It is generally seen with people who are in imminent danger of dying, such as elderly patients, or patients with terminal illnesses. Among some of the areas it covers, are questions like “do you want CPR to be performed if you go into cardiac arrest”, or “ do you want to be mechanically ventilated if you stop breathing”? Many people who know they are dying, decide they want to “die with dignity”, and only receive pain medication and supplemental oxygen when their time comes. If you are elderly, or have a terminal illness, we recommend that you talk with your doctor about the topic.

ii) Is it different from an Advance Directive? Yes. An Advanced Directive is a document drawn up by a lawyer that lists what actions are to be taken if you are no longer able to make your wishes known for your medical treatment. It only comes into effect when you are no longer able to make your desires known and is generally used to guide your family should you have a condition where your quality of life is diminished. This includes things like life support, feeding tubes, etc. We recommend that all adults discuss the topic with their family, and have a lawyer create the document. If the worst-case scenario happens, and you are critically injured in an accident, knowing your wishes will be one less thing your family needs to worry about. It also empowers you to maintain control of your life, even if you can no longer make your wishes known.

iii) How do I get one? A DNR can only be created by your doctor. Discuss your thoughts and feelings with him/her, and decide what treatment options you want. Once you have decided, he/she can create the DNR and provide it to you. Store it in a safe but accessible location.

iv) What if my family knows I do not want resuscitation, but I don’t have a DNR? OR What if I have a DNR from my doctor, but it’s not with me. Will you perform CPR anyways? Unfortunately, Yes. By law, we can only honor a written DNR given to us at the time of the medical emergency. If the DNR is lost or not available, we must provide any and all medical treatment necessary to preserve life. Also, if we do have to start medical interventions because you cannot produce a valid DNR, DO NOT attempt to interfere with the treatment. Doing so can put you in serious danger of both criminal and civil penalties. The best advice to is that once you have the DNR; store it in a secure but easily accessed location. A good idea is to seal it in a sandwich bag, and use a magnet to stick it to the refrigerator along side your “File of Life”. You can make copies of the DNR, and store/carry them as needed.

i) I was asked to sign a document when I didn't want to go to the hospital. Why was that? Why did they state that I could die? The form is called a “Refusal of Care” form, and it documents that you do not want any further medical treatment from EMS at that moment in time. It does not preclude you from calling us back later if you change your mind. In does document that you are aware of the possible consequences of not seeking further medical care for your injury or medical condition. In short, the ONLY definitive way to treat/rule out and injury or illness is to see a doctor. We are not doctors, nor do we have the diagnostic equipment to rule out many medical problems. If you have a concealed injury or serious medical problem and it is left untreated, the end result could be death.

ii) Can I get a copy of the run report from when I was transported? Distribution of Patient Care Reports (PCR) is governed by federal privacy laws, and is generally only available to the patient and the medical staff directly involved with the patient. Others may see the report ONLY if the patient signs a release. The rules are quite complicated and there are some specific exceptions. If you need a copy of a PCR, please contact the Rescue Chief.

iii) My neighbor was taken away by ambulance last night. How can I find out what happened? Ask him/her. That is the only way. As mentioned in the paragraph above, squad members are strictly limited on what patient information can be given out.

a) How can I try EMS without joining? SVRS has an existing ride-along program for civilians. It requires that you submit to a criminal and sexual predator background check, and must be scheduled in advance. If you are interested, please fill out the Observer Release form. You can find it here.

ii) How much does an ambulance cost? A new ambulance fully equipped can cost over $250,000 dollars. The truck itself runs from $130,000 to $170,000, depending on options. A new LifePac 15 runs around $36,000 dollars. Of course the biggest item is the one that we cannot attach a monetary value to, namely the skill and dedication of the members needed to staff the truck.

i) What should I do if I have an ambulance coming up behind me? According to state law, you MUST pull over to the nearest shoulder and allow the emergency vehicle to pass. This is LAW. Pull to the shoulder and stop until the ambulance goes by. This is also true if an ambulance is approaching from the other direction, as long as the road does not have a central divider. If you are waiting at a red light and an ambulance comes up behind you, DO NOT pull into the intersection against the red light. Units will often try to go around stopped cars using the turning lane, or the breakdown lane, in which case stay were you are. If a unit does come up directly in back of you while you are stopped at a light, try to move to the side as long as you can do so safely. If you cannot safely move, wait until the light changes, then pull through the intersection and move to the right as soon as possible.

ii) What are the ‘normal looking’ vehicles with the red lights on them? Because of the rural nature of much of Spotsylvania County, SVRS allows its off-duty members to use their personnel vehicles when responding to incidents close to their home. This allows us to reduce the time before medical interventions are started.

iv) Do you guys turn on the lights and sirens to just cut through traffic or get through a red light faster? Absolutely not. The only time the emergency light will be on is if we are going to a call, or we are doing an emergency transport to the hospital. We sometimes also turn on the lights on for safety when backing units up.

v) I saw you coming up behind me at an intersection with the lights on, but after everyone got out of your way, you made a turn and shut the lights off. What gives? Frequently, we will be responding to a call, and Dispatch will cancel us before we arrive. This often happens with motor vehicle accidents. People driving by will report the accident by cell phone, but when the police get there, they determine there is no need for fire/rescue, and cancel us.

vi) Speaking of automobile accidents, what should I do if I see one? Call 911 and give as much information as possible. Most important is a good location. On the interstate, give the nearest mile-marker, and if it's northbound or southbound. On other roads, give the closest physical address or house number, or the nearest intersection. Also it's very helpful to tell the call-taker of how many cars are involved, descriptions of the vehicles involved (i.e. a red mini-van and blue pickup truck), and other pertinent information.

vii) If someone is still inside the vehicle, should I pull them out in case the car explodes? NO! Moving a person with neck or back injuries can result in permanent paralysis, or even death! Thanks to Hollywood and television news, people seem to think that cars frequently explode after accidents. In reality, less than 1 in a 1000 accidents result in a fire, and even if the car does catch on fire, the only time it explodes is when someone had a box of fireworks in the back seat. Invariably, when we get a report of a car "smoking" from an accident, it's just steam from the radiator. Only if you see actual flames should you consider moving an accident victim.

i) How many people are on a crew? The minimum crew consists of a driver and EMT-B. If the unit is an Advanced Life Support unit (AKA Medic), it will have at least an EMT-B and Medic on board. The maximum crew is four people.

ii) Why doesn’t every ambulance have a medic on board? Mainly the time and effort required to get medic certification severely reduces the pool of available medics. Starting from scratch, it takes over two years of study to get paramedic certification. That does not include the on-the-truck training necessary before a new paramedic can be released as an attendant in charge. However, every station has at least two medics available, either on the fire engine or the ambulance. Note that the vast majority of calls (> 85%) do NOT require Advance Life Support skills.

iv) Everytime I go by my local station, it's empty. We hear this complaint frequently about the Brokenburg and Partlow stations. The Brokenburg station (RS2) has been staffed by volunteer and career providers continuosly 24/7 since 2005. Because the parking area is behind the building and the bay doors are kept closed for security, people often assume the station is empty. Also, during weekdays, the career EMS providers stay across the street in the Fire Company 2 building. Likewise, the duty truck at RS3 (Partlow) stays at Fire Company 3 a quarter mile down the road.

v) How many ambulances are there in Spotsylvania County? How many are staffed at a given time? There approximately 25 ambulances in the county. Most of the stations have 2 ambulances stationed at them, allowing one to be in service with a second in reserve. The exceptions are Courthouse (3 units), Brokenburg (3 units), Four Mile Fork (4 units), and Five Mile Fork (3 units). There is always at minimum 11 staffed units in the county. In an emergency or during bad weather, additional units can be staffed quickly. During the middle of Tropical Storm Sandy, a total of 17 ambulances were staffed at one point.

vi) What happens if all the ambulances are out on calls? As mentioned above, additional ambulances can be staffed if needed. Also, the county has mutual aid agreements with most of the local jurisdictions, so units in those jurisdictions can be asked to respond to incidents in Spotsylvania if needed, and visa versa.

vii) Who else provides emergency services in Spotsylvania County? Unlike some other jurisdictions that are served by a multitude of small organizations, Spotsylvania is served by just four larger agencies. The Spotsylvania Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management staffs all stations with a minimum of five paid career personnel. SVRS and Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department provides additional staffing on the south side of the county. Chancellor Volunteer Fire Rescue provides both fire and EMS coverage in the northern part of the county.

viii) What is the current staffing plan? All stations have a minimum of 5 career staff at all times, including at least one (usually two) medic. The presence of a volunteer crew allows additional apparatus to be staffed, either a second engine or specialty apparatus. Depending on the station, the specialty apparatus will be either a tanker, heavy rescue, or ladder/tower. The high call volume at Stations 4 and 6 necessitates two staffed EMS units if manpower allows.