Volunteers Needed To Play Victim In First Responder Training

Lying under a pile of rubble wouldn't so bad if it's not an actual emergency situation, right? That's what first responders need you to do to help them train for disaster relief efforts. Virginia Task Force 1 is seeking volunteers to act as the victims in emergency scenarios from Monday evening, April 23 through Thursday afternoon, April 26.

Volunteers should be able to crawl in and out of rubble piles, lie there in place for a while and stay awake for the entire shift. Shifts are at least six hours. Volunteers will wear moulage, or make up simulating mock injuries.

If you need more convincing, let these search and rescue dogs do the job. Last month, two VA-TF1 search canines training at the rubble pile last month reunited with their mother, a search and rescue dog from Florida Task Force 2.

Sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, VA-TF1 1 a 200-person trained search and rescue team that serves as a disaster relief resource in the U.S. and abroad. It is comprised of emergency managers, planners, physicians, paramedics and specialists in structural engineering, heavy rigging, collapse rescue, logistics, hazardous materials, communications, canine and technical search. Last year, the team kept busy responding to hurricanes, including Harvey in Texas, Irma in the Caribbean and Maria in Puerto Rico.

Overnight shift volunteers are especially needed for the training. Food and water will be provided.

And fair warning—you will get dirty.

Sign up or get additional information by emailing Christopher Yorty at christopher.yorty@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.vatf1.org to learn more about the team and its past missions.

Image via Virginia Task Force 1