Training Corner

Training is a vital aspect of working with Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad, or with any Fire and Rescue company for that matter. Caring for patients' lives, health, and property is a very important job, and is one that we treat with the upmost respect and consideration. To facilitate the provision of professional pre-hospital emergency care, all providers with PVRS must undergo extensive training, both with the company, and with the Loudoun County training center. While the commitment may seem intense to some, please understand that providers are pushed to such levels only to help the patient. If you ever have concerns about the level of training and your availability, please feel free to contact an Officer. But rest assured that all training provided by PVRS and by Loudoun, is not only educational, but engaging, physical, challenging, and largely fun.

There are some levels of training that are required to operate with PVRS, but once these certifications have been attained, ALL members are highly encouraged to seek out additional training at their own schedule's allowance. EMS is still a young field, and is under constant development and growth. Now is a great time to be in the Emergency Services, as the levels of training and type of work being done is only growing. If you are a dedicated and excited person with the time, we encourage you to move beyond the first basic levels of certification. The training you receive is yours for life, and can be added to your resume; applied to wherever your life may lead you.

We provide driver training, EMT-Basic and Advanced Life Support EMS training for our members free of charge through the Loudoun County Training Center. Members are welcome to train beyond EMS into the firefighting, extrication, and HazMat fields.

Suggested Order of Training:

New/"Probationary" Member:

Volunteer Orientation - Learn the ins and outs of volunteering with the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department. [3 hours]
American Heart Association: Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers [AHA CPR HCP] - Learn the basics of providing CPR to all age groups [4-8 hours]
Bloodborne Pathogens - Learn the nature of pathogens and diseases, your risks as a health care provider, and steps to protect yourself and prevent illness. [8 hours]
HazMat Awareness - Learn about the aspects of hazardous materials that you might encounter as a healthcare provider, and how to manage such situations. [8 hours]
Probationary Member Packet - Informational activity packet to help familiarize a probationary member with PVRS, with the assistance of your crew and/or mentor. Must be completed before being voted into full-membership. [Ongoing - 6 months. Completed in conjuction with duty crew and classes, starting with on first crew day]

Full Member - Basic Training:

Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) Class I-IV - Learn how to operate emergency vehicles, from chase cars to tower ladders or bigger, from normal routine to emergency situations, including laws about the practice of emergency driving. [20+ hours, including post-course driving precepting]
EMT-Basic - Begin the first step of your EMS career. This course teaches you everything you need to know to provide basic care to a patient, regardless of the situation. Includes patient assessment, A&P, medical care, trauma care, patient packaging, and various interventions. [200+ hours - meets three times a week]

Post EMT-B Training:

BLS Protocols - Learn about the legal and specific issues of being an EMT-Basic EMS provider in Loudoun County; what you can and cannot do (as opposed to being a Virginia State, or National EMT-Basic). [4-8 hours]
AED/King Airway/ResQPod - Learn additional EMT-Basic interventions not taught in EMT-Basic school to help provide care to patients in respiratory or cardiac distress. [4-8 hours]
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) - Course focuses entirely on Trauma scenarios and care. [8 hours]
Geriatric EMS (GEMS - Course focuses entirely on pre-hospital EMS for the geriatric population. [8+ hours]
HTR Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations - Learn the use of basic handtools, scene safety, and extrication. [25 hours]

ALS Training:*

EMT-Enhanced - Learn entry Advanced Life Support skills and techniques. Builds upon successful completion of EMT-Basic. Includes additional interventions, such as IV starts and intubation. [250+ hours]
EMT-Intermediate** - Builds upon EMT-E. Learn more advanced ALS skills, including additional medications and care. Similar to Paramedic. [300+ hours]
EMT-Paramedic*** - Builds upon EMT-I. Learn the most advanced ALS skills available. Successful completion places a member as a premier prehospital healthcare provider [500+ hours]

Post-ALS Training:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Pre-Firefighter Cross-Training

Hazardous Materials Operations - Learn more about how a HazMat scene works, mitigation, tactics, etc. Required before attending Fireschool. [35 hours)

Firefighter Cross-Training:

Firefighter I/II - Learn the basics of becoming a firefighter, from fire tactics, to reading fire and smoke, to equipment use and more. Inclues sub-classes on Vehicle Extrication, Firefighter Down Rescue, and more. [250+ hours]

Firefighter Driver Training:

Driver Pumper Operator - Learn how to operate a Tanker or Pumper apparatus.
Driver Operator Ariel - Learn how to operate and maintain an Aeriel apparatus (Tiller, Tower, Ladder)

Post-Firefighter Training:

Confined Space Rescue Awareness/Operations/Technician
Farm Machine Safety and Extrication
Trench Rescue Awareness/Operations/Technician
Rope Rescue Awareness/Operations/Technician

Please note that there are many, many other classes offered by both PVRS and Loudoun County, this is only a small, most direct, sample of what providers may take. Also, time commitments are not absolutely as presented and are subject to change.

For information on other training, please contact us.

Use the electronic TDTR found on the Loudoun County page to sign up for training courses.

Please click the link below to be taken to the Loudoun County Fire & Rescue website. Here you will find all of the upcoming classes and class schedules for the year as well as other information about the Loudoun County Fire & Rescue System to help get you started on your healthcare path.

Loudoun County Fire & Rescue Training Corner

*Taken at least one year after precepting and becoming released as an EMT-Basic and going through Attendant In Charge training

**Taken at least one year after precepting and becoming released as an EMT-Enhanced and going through ALS Protocols.

***Taken at least one year after precepting and becoming released as an EMT-Intermediate and going through additional post-EMT-P specific course