Frequenlty Asked questions
Does it require a lot of time to be a volunteer?
Yes and No. In addition to the weekly 12 hour assigned duty shift in which you will respond to emergency calls, you will be expected to attend monthly trainings, business meetings and it's highly encouraged that you attend any additional squad function. While it may seem like a lot, all of our members are volunteers and have full-time jobs, families and responsibilities outside of the station. It can be done and the experience of giving back to our community is rewarding.
Do I have to be a Riner resident in order to be a member?
No. At RVRS we have no residency requirements.
How often will I be required to be on duty?
Shortly after you join, you will be assigned to a nightly duty team. When assigning you to a team, we will make every effort to honor your preference for a specific duty night. However, we also have to keep the schedule balanced to ensure call coverage. During this time, you are at the station from 6pm - 6am and available to respond to emergency calls.
Junior members have a shorter duty shift, 6pm - 10pm (Sunday-Thursday). Junior members may be on a full call night 6pm - 6am if it's a non-school night (Friday, Saturday, or during any school break).
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
To begin volunteering at RVRS, you will need to be at least 16 years of age. Members over the age of 18 are considered active members. Junior members may be between 16-21.
I have no experience, is this ok?
Absolutely! Many of our members come to the crew with little to no experience. We will provide you with the training and resources you need to be successful.
What do I have to do to become a volunteer?
Simply complete the online or paper application which can be found on our website. Once we receive a completed application, we will contact you for a brief interview and will get the process started. Completed paper applications can be mailed to our station or turned in by hand. Our address can be found on the home page! (Note: To avoid delays, please be sure to complete the required information in full and in a truthful manner.)
What is the process after I apply?
Once your application has been submitted, reviewed and presented to the general membership at the next business meeting, an interview may be extended to you to meet with the membership committee.
After your membership committee interview, your background check, references and general information will be verified by the committee. During this time, you will be required to complete TWO ride-a-long shifts with our crew. This helps you get a feel for our organization as well as our crew a feel for you. Additionally, you will meet with the 1st Lieutenant to complete any paperwork and outstanding items.
Once you have completed all of the required pre-work, you will be invited to the next business meeting where you will have the opportunity to speak to the crew and be voted into probationary membership. Once the crew votes on your application, you will begin your six month (6 month) probationary period. During this period, you will be expected to complete any required crew trainings, attend crew functions, observe and help team members on calls, as well as begin working toward an EMT certification. If you are already certified, you will be expected to begin the precepting process during this time.