Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps is not just an ambulance service. We are a family — a team — that embodies the very meaning of "community." We care, because these are our neighbors. Our members come from all walks of life, but share one thing in common: a pure desire to help. As a member, you will get to experience and learn things that most won't, and gain the deep satisfaction that you are helping your community. No prior medical experience is required -- just a willingness to learn and the drive to make a difference in somebody's life. From top-of-the-line equipment, to initial training for NYS EMT Certification, to ongoing medical education, to camaraderie and support, we set you up for success.
SVAC has various roles depending on your current level of skills and desires.
Often the starting point for our new volunteers who have no prior experience, a volunteer crew member starts with professional rescuer CPR training. We then train you on various aspects of patient care, and teach you how to use our equipment. You ride in the back of the ambulance and assist the EMT or Paramedic in-charge. Typically, crew members choose to take our EMT class after a few months.
These volunteers are New York State certified pre-hospital care providers. That means they are an active (unexpired) New York State EMT-B, AEMT, or EMT-P (paramedic). They may lead patient care or drive the ambulance. SVAC ambulances respond with a minimum of two certified individuals.
Don't feel like you want to ride on the ambulance but want to help? This level of membership is for those who are willing to help us in fundraising, general administration, and large community events.
Our staff EMTs help fill gaps in our schedule to ensure there is always a crew ready to respond to any emergency 24x7x365. Provide emergency care while furthering your professional career, all while working with a paramedic partner.
A staff paramedic is standing by for a call around-the-clock. They work alongside our volunteers and provide leadership and coaching to ensure the best in patient care.
Learn more about becoming a volunteer by watching a short documentary about SVAC.
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Fill out your application and all required forms. Submit it to us for processing. Our team is looking forward to getting to know you. Apply Now
A member of our team will meet with you and answer any questions you have. Tour our facility and get a feel for what we do. We are excited to get you trained.
Once approved, you start a 3-month probationary period. During this training, we get to know you and you get to know us. We make sure you feel ready.
As a full member, you are part of the team. You will continually learn new things and act as a mentor to new members.
Enter your information into the form. You will receive an application and a follow-up
from us to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to speaking with you!
No. Once you become a member, we require that you learn your way around the ambulance and be certified in CPR. Once this process is completed, you can start riding along with the crews and start gaining experience.
None. Once you join, our members will certify you in CPR. This is the only certification needed in order to start riding along on the ambulance. When the EMT course is offered, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps will sponsor your EMT class, and assist you in confidently practicing the skills you learned.
We require all members to give a minimum of 16 hours a month to the Corps. We use a web-based scheduler where you can pick shifts that are convenient for you.
In order to join, you must be at least 18 years old. Drivers must be a minimum of 19 years old.
Help someone in their time of need. SVAC has a crew of at least two people (a driver and a paramedic) with up to two additional crew members scheduled 24x7x365. That crew is in Scarsdale, waiting for a call. When an individual calls 911, we get dispatched to the call and from there we would assist the person with their emergency, and transport them to the hospital.
We do not allow our members to be drivers only; this is beneficial to all those around. In the event that there is an emergency that demands more than one set of hands, both the paramedic and driver are well trained and know how to react. This helps us so we can work better as a team, which gives us the desired end goal of better patient care.
We are one of a small number of New York State certified training centers in Westchester and regularly provide EMT courses at our facility. The class typically meets twice a week for four hours, and runs approximately four months. At the end of the class, you will take the state's EMT exam and be certified for three years. Our instructors are experienced at teaching the curriculum and yield an extremely high passage rate. As an SVAC member, we will sponsor you to take the course.
Physicians can join SVAC as auxiliary members, however they are not permitted to ride on the ambulance as they are not covered by SVAC's insurance policy.