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About the Junior Member Program

The Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (AVFRD) Junior Member Program is a highly competitive leadership and training program for motivated students ages 16 and 17 who are interested in serving their community through fire and emergency medical services.

Junior Members train alongside experienced firefighters and EMTs, develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, participate in emergency response under direct supervision, and are expected to successfully complete either the Loudoun County Firefighter or EMT certification program before turning 18.  The program emphasizes responsibility, integrity, academic success, physical fitness, and a commitment to public service.  Because only a limited number of positions are available each year, applicants should carefully review the following information with their parent/guardian before applying.

Selection Process

Admission into the Junior Member Program is competitive. Applications are accepted annually from October 1 through December 31. Qualified applicants will participate in a multi-step selection process that includes:

1. Application review
2. Interview with Recruitment & Retention team
3. Volunteer Recruit School (VRS)
4. Candidate ranking
5. Background investigation and fingerprinting
6. Board of Directors approval

Completion of the application process does not guarantee acceptance into the program.  Only the highest-ranked applicants will be offered membership. Applicants who are not immediately selected may be placed on a waiting list if openings become available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years old by February 15 of 2027.
• Expected to have their driver’s license by the time they turn 17 years old.
• Reside in Loudoun County, Virginia.
• Attend a Volunteer Interest Meeting with a parent or legal guardian during October, November, or December of 2026.
• Submit a complete application and all required documents by December 31, 2026.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit:

• Completed Junior Member Application
• Answer essay questions describing why they want to join AVFRD, what they hope to gain, what they hope to contribute, and their future educational and career goals
• Most recent report card
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a current teacher)
• Attend one Volunteer Interest Meeting with a parent or legal guardian during October, November, or December of the current year.
• Parent/Guardian and candidate complete and return the following forms, which are distributed at the Volunteer Interest Meeting:
  
  • Loudoun County Parent/Guardian Consent Form 
  • Volunteer Recruit School Waiver
  • Castlebranch Minor Consent Form
    
  • QM Gear Return Policy
    

Conduct Expectation

Junior Members are expected to:

• Demonstrate maturity and professionalism.
• Follow department policies and the chain of command.
• Work safely and wear required personal protective equipment.
• Treat fellow members, career staff, and the public with respect.
• Actively participate in training and department activities.
• Demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and sincerity.

Onboarding Training Requirements

Accepted Junior Members must complete the following within 120 days of acceptance:

• NFPA Physical
• SCBA Fit Test
• Loudoun County Volunteer Orientation
• American Heart Association BLS CPR
• FEMA IS-100
• FEMA IS-200
• FEMA IS-700
• FEMA IS-800
• HIPAA Training
• Harassment Prevention Training
• Junior Member Training
• Any other required training

Failure to complete all required onboarding training within 120 days of acceptance may result in termination from the Junior Member Program.

Fire and EMS Training

Junior Members are expected to:

• Successfully complete either the County Firefighter or EMT program before turning 18.
• Obtain a driver's license by their 17th birthday.
• If enrollment in a Firefighter or EMT class is delayed due to limited space, remain active in the program and reapply for the next available class.

Junior Members who fail, withdraw from, or are dismissed from the County Firefighter or EMT certification program or the Academies of Loudoun EMT program may be reviewed by the Membership Committee. If no mitigating circumstances exist, the member may be removed from operational status and referred to the Board of Directors for appropriate action, including termination.

Duty Requirements

Junior Members are expected to:

• Serve at least four (4) hours each week on the same regularly scheduled duty shift.  Shifts begin at 18:00 hours.
• Serve four (4) hours every fifth Saturday.
• Arrive no later than 17:45 hours before the start of their duty shift.
• Ride one EMS shift each month.
• Ride one suppression (fire) shift each month.
• Duty assignments are subject to operational staffing limits and seat availability.

Junior Members do not count toward minimum staffing requirements on emergency apparatus.

Academic Requirements

Junior Members are expected to maintain good academic standing by:

• Maintaining at least a "C" average.
• Not failing any classes.
• Submitting a copy of each report card within one week of receiving it.

Failure to maintain the required academic standards may result in review and possible termination from the program.

Equipment and Uniforms

Accepted Junior Members:

• Purchase the following gear with their own funds:
  • Two (2) pairs of dark navy blue “dickie” or basic BDU work pants (reimbursement is $100 total) 
  • Composite/steel-toes black shoes/boots (Must be ASTMFA 2413 compliant) (reimbursement is $150) 
  • Plain, black leather or nylon mesh belt (no reimbursement) 
  • Black socks (no reimbursement)
  • Simple watch with a secondhand (no reimbursement) 
  • Note: reimbursement will be provided once the member is assigned to a duty crew.
• Will be issued all other required department uniforms and protective equipment.
• Must keep all issued gear at the station except when traveling to or from training or between stations.
• May not keep issued gear in personal vehicles or at home.
• Will wear apparel identifying them as Junior Members.
• If terminated or resigned from the program, the Junior Member must return all issued gear to the Quartermaster.

Program Restrictions

Junior Members:

• May not request a Leave of Absence (LOA).
• Must resign if they are unable to fully participate in the program.
• May not be at the station before 05:00 hours.
• Must leave the station by 23:00 hours, unless actively assigned to an emergency incident.

Program Capacity

The Junior Member Program is limited to eighteen (18) operational Junior Members at any one time. Operational assignments are also limited to no more than three (3) Junior Members on an operational shift and no more than one (1) Junior Member assigned to an engine or ambulance. Operational assignments are based on available staffing positions.