AVFD volunteers come from many diverse backgrounds, but share a common
interest in serving the greater Annandale community through their time and
effort. If you are interested and ready to make a significant time commitment,
we want to hear from you!
We are continually seeking both administrative and
operational members. However, our ability to induct new members, particularly
operational members, can vary during the year based on the availability of
training classes and other factors.
Volunteer Expectations
To be considered, prospective candidates:
- Should expect to stay in the greater Annandale area for a minimum of 3-5 years
- EACH VOLUNTEER APPLICANT MUST:
- Successfully complete a thorough background investigation.
- Pass a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
- Operational members MUST also have a clean driving record.
- Successfully complete a 6-month probationary period to be considered for active membership.
- Participate in mandatory fund-raising activities, including working our bingo games every other week. We play Monday & Thursday evenings, 5:30pm-10:00pm. You will be assigned to a Monday or Thursday evening, plus various special events throughout the year.
- Participate in department and/or corporate activities as needed to meet the needs of the organization
- Attend monthly membership/business meetings
- Be able to spend a significant amount of time, on top of personal and work commitments, meeting administrative and operational requirements:
- Administrative members are expected to work at least 120 hours/year (10 hours/month)
- Operational members are expected to work at least 240 hours/year (20 hours/month) riding apparatus or otherwise engaging in operational activities, in addition to performing administrative/fund-raising commitments.
- For EMS only members: be able to attend and successfully complete Fairfax County's EMT school, including 120 hours of classroom time (classes cannot be missed) with expectations and workload similar to a college course, plus homework and studying/practicing outside of class, followed by passing both a written and practical-skills evaluation
- For fire suppression members: complete all requirements for EMS-only membership, plus Fairfax County's Fire School, a physically and academically challenging curriculum involving 300 hours of classroom time (total of 420 hours for EMT and Fire School)