Frequently Asked Questions

Does it require a lot of personal time to be a volunteer?

Yes.  In addition to standing the basic duty shift of twelve-hours a week and responding to emergency calls, you will need to participate in training and fundraising.  If you are coming to us with no experience, as most of our members do, there is a significant amount of training that you have to go through your first year.  Nevertheless, it is important to remember that all of our members have full-time jobs, families, and other such responsibilities.  So, it can be done! 

Serving as a volunteer at the Rescue Squad is truly the experience of a lifetime.  You will find the work extremely rewarding, and you will form friendships that will last for years.  However, we do want to stress the time commitment required to serve as a volunteer.

Do I have to be a Montgomery County resident in order to be a member?

No.  We have no residency requirements.

How is the Rescue Squad different from other volunteer stations in the county?

We are the only station in the county that is truly volunteer.  With the exception of two paramedics provided by the county during the weekdays, we fund our own staff during the weekdays when our volunteers are at work, and we staff the station entirely with volunteers every night of the week and every weekend.  With over 150 active volunteer members, we also have the largest membership base.

I have heard that fire departments have a military-like stucture.  Is that true?

BCCRS can attribute much of its success not only to the members but also to the structure of the organization.  We have chief officers, line officers, privates and, finally, probationary members.  As a new member, you will be at the bottom of the structure.  It is important that you have the type of personality that will respect this structure of hierarchy.  We also take discipline and commitment seriously and hope that you, as a potential member, do so as well. 

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

In order to begin volunteering at BCCRS you need to be at least 16.  If you are between 16 and 18 years old, you are considered a Junior Member.  Requirements for Junior Members are somewhat different than someone who joins at 18, but you will be able to progress through EMT class and Essentials of Firefighting (if you would like to take that route) before turning 18.

How often do I have to stand duty?

The basic duty requirement is a 12-hour shift once a week from 7pm until 7am, during which you are at the station and responding to emergency calls.  The day of duty will not change, as you will be assigned to a night crew and stand duty the same night each week. The only exception to this rule is that one night crew alternates nights, so that no crew is forced to stand duty every Saturday night. Therefore, however, when the "roving crew" takes your normal duty night, which occurs every sixth week, you stand duty on Saturday night for an extended duty. Sound confusing? Don’t worry, logistics such as this will be explained after you are accepted into the Rescue Squad.

Junior members have a shorter duty shift, from 7pm – 10pm on school nights.  If the junior member does not have school the next day, they are encouraged to spend the night at the Rescue Squad to further their experience and training.

I’ve heard I would have to do fundraising as a member.

Fundraising is the lifeblood of our organization because we do not take any direct tax money.  Our funds are raised through the community, businesses, and foundations. Every member for the first ten years of membership must participate in our fundraising drive called “Fall Drive.”  Fall Drive takes place from August to October each year and every member is given a quota.  It is not difficult to raise the quota but it does take additional time.  For member who have been here for more than a year, there are incentive deductions.  The more qualified you become, and the more emergency calls you run, the smaller your quota.  Junior members do not have to Fall Drive.

I will only be in the area for one year. Can I still be a volunteer?

It will take you approximately 12 months to obtain charge Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) status.  During these 12 months, you will invest a significant amount of time and effort into your training, and we will invest just as much in you to help you.  Therefore, it is not beneficial to either party to only serve for a year.  While we understand that life is not always planned out, we are looking for members who plan on being here for at least three years. 

Is it okay that I have no experience?

Absolutely.  Most of our members come to us with no training or experience.  We will provide all of your training.

Where will I go for training?

We provide all the training free of charge. Most of our training is done at the Montgomery County Public Service Training Academy (PSTA) near Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville.  This is where all fire, rescue and police personnel train in Montgomery County.

I am an Emergency Medical Technician in another state. Will I have to take EMT class again?

No. We can help you get your reciprocity for Maryland.  In addition to filling out some paperwork for the state, you will need to take a 24-hour Maryland EMT-B refresher course and a state protocol test.  If you have other Fire/Rescue qualifications, you may also apply for reciprocity for them as well.  Visit the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems website, www.miemss.org, for more information on reciprocity.

What do I have to do to become a volunteer?

Fill out the enclosed application, making sure to complete all necessary information and obtain all necessary paperwork.  Place your complete application in an envelope to the attention of Capt. Kendall Sanderson.  You may either drop your application off at the station or mail it in. Once we receive the complete application, we will call you to schedule a brief interview. 

How often do you accept new members?

The membership of the organization votes new members in once a month on the third Monday of every month.  We will need to have your application well in advance of this day in order to adequately process it.