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Requirements

Requirements

Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad Honor Guard marching in parade

WVRS membership is extremely rewarding, but also can be very demanding. To be eligible for membership at WVRS, you must:

  • Be able to spend one night per week from 5:00 pm until 7:00 am at the station every week, and one shift from 12:00 pm Saturday until 12:00 pm Sunday every fourth weekend on duty with your assigned duty crew. Some duty nights have different shift times. View the full duty schedule below to learn more.
  • Be at least 18 years old to be eligible for Active membership. Potential members between the ages 14-20 are strongly encouraged to participate in the First Aid Unit. Learn more on the Junior Members page.
  • Pass a physical exam and drug screening administered through Montgomery County which is free of charge for all applicants. The physical exam is much like a check up at a doctors office, with a couple of extra steps. 
  • Pass a criminal history background and reference check. 
  • Be interviewed and accepted by the membership committee.  

All training, equipment, and uniforms is provided free of charge after you are accepted as a member.  

Duty Shifts

WVRS provides 100% volunteer coverage on overnights and weekends. Our volunteer shifts are not supplemented by paid personnel, which is a key differentiator between other Montgomery County stations. On average, each volunteer dedicates roughly 80 hours per month at the station.

WVRS is a world-class volunteer station with one of the largest call volumes in the State of Maryland. It is the station to be at to experience a high-energy diverse assortment of emergency medical, fire, and rescue calls. When you join, you join one of six duty crews and remain with that same group of people each week.

Monday Crew – 5:00pm – 7:00am each week with one weekend shift (Saturday 12:00pm to Sunday 12:00pm) per month.
Tuesday Crew – 5:00pm – 7:00am each week with one weekend shift (Saturday 12:00pm to Sunday 12:00pm) per month.
Wednesday Crew – 5:00pm – 7:00am each week with one weekend shift (Saturday 12:00pm to Sunday 12:00pm) per month.
Thursday Crew – 5:00pm – 7:00am each week with one weekend shift (Saturday 12:00pm to Sunday 12:00pm) per month.
Friday Crew – 5:00pm – 12:00pm each week.
Sunday Crew – 12:00pm – 7:00am each week.