Application FAQs

We know you have a lot of questions and we are excited to have you join us at Ridgewood Volunteer Ambulance. This FAQ should help answer some commonly asked questions.  


What IS REQUIRED to be a member?

EMTs:

  • EMT, A-EMT, or EMT-P Certification (if applying for patient care)

  • AHA Approved BLS Provider CPR Card (or equivalent)

  • FEMA IS: 100, 200, 700, 800, and 5a as required by NYS DOH

  • MOLST Certification

  • Mandated Reporter Certificate

  • State Issued Drivers License

DRIVERS: 

  • State Issued Drivers License

  • AHA Approved BLS Provider CPR Card (or equivalent)

  • A clean driving record with no major violations

 

I am a student, can i join and go to school? 

Yes! Many of our members are students. We are also happy to assist with documentation if you can receive school credit for working with RVAC. This is decided on a case by case basis and is completed through our 1st Lt. of Administration and 2nd Lt of Service.

WHAT is the process to become a full member? 

RVAC has a lengthy on-boarding process that will be completed no faster than three months. As a result, RVAC is not the place to be if you want to pass by quickly. The following is the process of becoming an active member:

  1. Apply and be accepted into Ridgewood Volunteer Ambulance Corps

  2. Be trained and cleared as a dispatcher. This is required even if you do not wish to dispatch in the future and even for drivers. This will include training and passing a ten-code exam which will help you listen for calls and respond to dispatch requests.

    1. At this time you will be cleared as a "Dispatcher"

  3. After completion of dispatcher training, you will need to ride the ambulance as an "Attendant" or "Third" with a Crew Chief and Driver also on board. During this time you will be evaluated. To complete this stage you will need a number of strong evaluations. In the event that remediation is needed, RVAC Crew Chiefs will be happy to practice with you.

    1. Completion of this will clear you as a Crew Chief. If this occurs prior to your first three months you will still be a "Probationary Member" despite the "Crew Chief" standing.

  4. After three months of tours with 100% attendance and good attendance at member meetings, the membership will vote you in as a full member.

    1. As a full member you will be permitted to allow the full RVAC uniform.

A flow chart is available as well that describes this process by clicking here.

 

What does it cost to be a member?

Unlike other volunteer agencies in NYC and elsewhere, we do NOT charge our members to volunteer! Your time is all that it costs!

However, as a volunteer organization we do not have the funds to provide free equipment to our members. We will require you to provide certain items as required by your certification level. 

  • Stethoscope, Sphygmomanometer (BP cuff, adult), Pen light, 02 Key, and other personal EMS Items must be purchased by each member.

    • Our ambulances have extra-large and pediatric sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes.

  • Probationary members are required to purchase a gray polo to wear for the first three months, but we provide the patch for it.

  • We will provide your first uniform shirt, hat, and one RVAC patch

    • You will be required for further uniform purchase(s)