Giving Life to Our Community

Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad is proud to be able to partner with the Amazon Smile Program.  By signing up to shop on Amazon using our Amazon Smile donation account, you are donating to HCVRS! 

​There is no additional cost to you, your donation is deducted directly from your order! 

HCVRS relies heavily on donations to continue to operate to cover the costs of medical supplies and fuel just to name a few.

We thank you for your support!!

Check back with us regularly as we plan to continue updating the website.

​​Welcome:

Serving the Highland County, VA residents and travelers the members of HCVRS comprise an entirely volunteer organization. Highland County is located about 40 miles west of Staunton, VA. Patient transports are routinely to Augusta Health Center in Fishersville or to Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, VA. Occasionally HCRS will transport to Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA. During 2007, the volunteers of Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad (HRVCS) responded to 240 calls from the community. This is an increase of 35 percent from the previous year. Likewise, in 2011 our members responded to 273 calls resulting in a 43 percent increase in call volume from 2006. HCVRS pledges to continue to do our best to provide professional, competent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) while striving to increase the number of providers available to assist anyone in need. If you are interested in joining our ranks, send us a message and we will contact you. Members are needed at all EMT levels as well as EVOC Drivers. HCVRS offers training opportunities to new applicants as well as our seasoned members at every opportunity. 

In 2014, Highland County Board of Supervisors hired the first career position to manage the operations of the agency as well as provide Paramedic level care. In August 2014, Chris Vernovai was hired as the County EMS Coordinator. Chris had previously served as a Paramedic as well as the agency's Squad Chief Officer as Squad Captain. Under his leadership, the agency saw a significant increase in membership through a strong recruitment campaign. In 2013 serving as Captain, Vernovai was awarded the Central Shenandoah EMS (CSEMS) Council's EMS Outstanding Administrator of the Year for the commitment and dedication in which he continues to demonstrate.

In 2014, in conjunction with the County Board of Supervisors, HCVRS has instituted a Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) to further promote the importance and to thank the volunteers for their invaluable services in which they provide to Highland County. Furthermore, the membership also agreed that the need for a Auxiliary Members to be able to join the ranks of HCVRS. In 2015, HCVRS saw an average increase in the membership's individual participation of 12% which is evidence of the VIPs success.  We thank the Highland County Board of Supervisors for their support. 

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"To provide the citizens and visitors of Highland County with high quality emergency care"

We simply could not do what we do without the generous commitment of our dedicated volunteers. 

OUR MISSION