BCDES maintains an open application process year round. On this page you will find:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you describe Buckingham County?
Buckingham County holds the geographical center of Virginia and spans over 582 square miles with the James River along its north boundary and the Appomattox River along the southwest. The County of Buckingham is rural in character with sparsely developed residences, community businesses and churches, interspersed in a gently rolling, central piedmont landscape.
According to the 2019 U.S. Census, the total population is 17,148. There is one incorporated Town located within the Buckingham County border - the Town of Dillwyn. There are also two Virginia Department of Corrections Facilities located in the county. The entire county of Buckingham is serviced by a single Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency- Buckingham County Department of Emergency Services (BCDES). This agency was recently made active on December 15, 2020. The county is also serviced by four volunteer fire departments that do not provide EMS services, one Sheriff’s Department, and State Police.
Where is Buckingham County located?
Buckingham County county shares borders with Albemarle and Fluvanna County to the north, Appomattox and Nelson County to the west, Prince Edward County to the south, and Cumberland County to the east. Buckingham is approximately 63 miles west of the City of Richmond, the state capital. It is approximately 45 miles south of the City of Charlottesville; 38 miles due east of the city of Lynchburg; and 173 miles south/southwest of Washington, DC.
How many stations does BCDES operate out of?
BCDES currently operates out of three stations: Station 1 located in Dillwyn, Station 2 located in Glenmore, and Station 3 located in Arvonia. More information about each station can be found here.
How many crews are on duty at a given time?
BCDES currently staffs three 24/7 ambulances with at least two ambulances staffed at an Advanced Life Support level.
What schedule does a full time schedule look like?
BCDES runs on a 24/72 schedule meaning full-time providers will work for 24 hours and then have 72 hours off.
How long are transport times to the hospital?
Transport times can range from 20 minutes to over an hour long dependent on the patient condition and position within the county. The main hospitals we transport to are UVA Health System (Level 1 Trauma Center), Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Centra Southside Community Hospital. Other hospitals we transport to include Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, and some Richmond area hospitals such as HCA Chippenham Hospital, Bon Secours facilities, and VCU Medical Center. We also rely on HEMS and air medical transport for time sensitive medical emergencies. Buckingham has 3 concrete helipads as well as other dedicated LZs within the county and in neighboring counties.
What is the annual call volume?
Approximately 2,800 with that number increasing each year.
What are the benefits like?
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All full time county employees receive Virginia State Retirement (VRS) benefits.
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First responders receive Hazardous Duty benefits​
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​Employees receive 8 hours of personal and 8 hours of sick leave per month for the first 5 years.​
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This increases to 10 hours of PTO and sick leave per month after 5 years​
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This increases to 12 hours of PTO and sick leave per month after 10 years
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Educational reimbursement for obtaining higher EMS certifications and relevant training.
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Specialized opportunities such as HazMat, Incident Management Team, Water Rescue Team, and tactical medicine.
What is the base pay?
Pay rates are broken into ranges based on BLS and ALS levels. Where a provider falls within those ranges depends on several factors such as years of experience, specialized certifications, being cleared as an RSI medic, etc. Base pay rates are as follows:
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BLS:
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ALS:
What is a part-time position?
Part-time employees do not work a set schedule but instead on an "as needed" basis. Part-time employees are required to submit a minimum or 24 hours of availability per month. A part-time employee may also be asked to cover a 24-hour, or partial, shift with little notice based on the availability they submitted.
Additional questions should be directed to cdavis@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov
Job Description
An emergency medical technician (EMT) plays a vital role in the medical field. This is also a growing profession—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 262,000 people in the United States work in this field and around 20,000 more will be added through 2028. That’s a 7% growth rate, which is faster than the national average. EMTs are essential to their employers. These highly trained professionals provide emergency care, and they ensure that patients are safely and quickly transported to a hospital where they can receive more comprehensive treatment. EMTs respond to calls for emergency care. They accompany other emergency responders to respond to calls for services related to medical, traumatic, and other emergencies.
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Provide emergency medical care
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Provide life support care, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), when needed
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Assess a patient's conditions and provide initial treatment
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Determine appropriate definitive care location needs
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Work 12 and/or 24 hour shifts
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Communicate with other emergency services, such as firefighters and police officers, to respond to calls for help
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Duties as assigned by the Chief or the Chief’s designee
Job Requirements
Skills and Qualifications
(For all positions)
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Ability to work long hours without lowering the quality of care they provide
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Ability to provide care in stressful situations
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Problem-solving skills
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Critical thinking skills
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Situational awareness
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Stress management skills
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Physical fitness
Minimum Requirements
(For all positions)
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High school diploma or equivalent
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Valid Virginia driver's license
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Current EMT-B or A certification for BLS positions
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Current EMT-I or P for ALS positions
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Current BLS CPR/AED certification
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Current Emergency Vehicle Operations Class (EVOC)
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National Incident Management Systems/Incident Commands Systems (NIMS/ICS)
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100, 200, 700, 800​
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All applicants are subject to drug testing and health screening​
All applicants must be able to pass a background check​
Please download and fill out the employment application. Please send in a completed application and resume to one of the following options:
Mail:​​
Buckingham County Administration
PO Box 252
Buckingham, VA 23921
In-Person:​​
Buckingham County Administration
13380 W. James Anderson Hwy
Buckingham, VA 23921
