Our team currently has 30 EMTs and Advanced EMTs staffing our ambulances.
Read more below on how to join.
Our squad is an opportunity. For what, well that is up to you. Whether your aim is to gain experience for a future career, give back to your community, or to try something completely different - you can do any of those here. Many doctors, PAs, and nurses have started their professional careers with our squad. Marriages, families, and friendships have started and grown here.
Lives have changed and been saved in these ambulances.
Come see what opportunities there are for you, with us.
When we say no prior experience necessary, we mean it. Our training program allows for anyone regardless of their background to start volunteering in emergency medicine. While it may not be easy it can be incredibly fulfilling, a challenge unlike many others. After a successful interview our program starts with a 30-day checklist which establishes the bare minimum awareness and certifications to meet the insurance requirements for you to be a part of our ambulance responses. After that you will begin either one of two in-house training programs to be a Driver or an Attendant (what we call a 'Third').
Our drivers need to be 21+ to meet the requirements of the Town's Insurance. Unfortunately, this is a non-negotiable consideration in a volunteer's eligibility for this role. Think about it this way - it's a good excuse to hop in the back and gain experience with direct patient care.
Our providers need to be 18+ for the licensure requirements of the State of Vermont. You don't have to be 18 years old to take the NREMT class, but you do have to be 18 years old to sit for the exam. Volunteers younger than 18 who are interested in taking an EMT class should reach out to the squad. We are always willing to help people train during the course and once eligible, said candidate would be sponsored by the squad for their state license.
Our lead providers must have experience. This type of volunteering is not like working at the animal shelter. Yes, there is still poop and biting, but there is also loss of life and limb. Our lead providers are tasked with ensuring the health and safety of their crews and in assessing patients and applying life saving interventions. It is not for the faint-of-heart nor the novice. We take the responsibility of lead provider very seriously. We might not all be paid, but we are all professionals. All of our crew chiefs meet the same standards regardless of pay received. All employees must have at least one year of experience in the role for which they are applying.
Our lead providers are certified at the Advanced EMT level or above. It is the norm in Chittenden County and our EMS district to be able to provide an ALS truck, and Advanced EMT is the lowest ALS level. At this time, Medic level service (ALS2) for Shelburne Rescue is secured through intercept agreements. We will be transitioning to paramedic in Spring 2024 and looking to build out our roster. We have limited opportunities for BLS Lead Providers (as volunteers). All employees must have at least one year experience in the role for which they are applying.
A Valid Driver's license is required to legally drive our ambulances. A CDL is not required. A clean driving record is required for us to trust you enough to drive our ambulances. Moving violations (running red lights and stop signs, excessive speeding) expire after a number of years, so your youthful exuberance may not bar you from participating as a driver. If you are still youthfully exuberant and receive a moving violation while in training or while on the squad, you'll be taken out of driver training or lose your driving privileges.
For a paid driving position you don't need to have experience on the circuit, but we do require prior completion of an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course or similar. Additionally, one year of experience is required for any position in which a candidate is seeking employment.
