JOINING THE TRT

The Technical Rescue Team (TRT) was organized in 1994 and is the part of CARS that deal with situations such as confined space, trench collapse, high-angle, heavy and building collapse rescues. The TRT also provides support to the Water Rescue Team for swift water rescue situations and can respond with the TJEMS Task Force for disaster situations.

The TRT is a member of the Technical Rescue Association of Virginia (TRAVA) and is recognized as having a state-wide response capability.

We welcome qualified applicants to join us. Our current team roster is 20 and we are always looking for new talent. Even if you have no interest in running EMS calls, we have a special membership catagory (associate support) that allows you to join CARS without the need to run a regular duty. Just meet the following requirements is al you need to do.

In order to join the TRT, the following requirements must be met:

must by physically fit
must have at least 2 years of emergency service experience
must have current EMT certification
must have at least 3 HTR certifications (see list)
must pass a background check and be accepted into CARS membership by the CARS Board of Directors

Requirements to Maintain Membership:

attend team meetings
attend at least 2 of 4 yearly Field Training Exercises (FTX)
maintain a minimum of 36 hours of continuning education per year
become a Master Rescue Technician within 2 years
Requirements to Become a Master Rescue Technician:

Rope Rescue I, II, III
Trench Collapse Rescue
Confined Space Rescue
Building Collapse Rescue
Firefighter I and/or Basic and Light Rescue
SCBA and IMS training
Hazardous Materials Awareness
Technical Rescue Awareness
any 1 other HTR certification (i.e., vehicle rescue, cave rescue, swift water rescue, farm vehicle rescue, heavy rescue, etc.)
Procedure for Joining:

submit a letter to the technical rescue team sergeant stating your intention
submit copies of all related training including EMT certification
if not a CARS member, submit a standard CARS membership application to the Manpower and Training Committee
read the story on How the TRT Got Started
finish and submit the Equipment Familiarization Checklist
read the Introduction Handout for New TRT Members

Go BACK to MAIN page.

For more information email me at:
jburruss@hotmail.com