Sunday May 20, 2018 12-4pm
at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach
Where would the City of Virginia Beach be without its EMS volunteers?

No group does more for our citizens, and no city in the U.S. depends on volunteer EMTs more than Virginia Beach.

To recognize the start of EMS Week, the Mayor and City Council of Virginia Beach invite all past, present and future members, operational and administrative, of the 10 volunteer rescue squads and special ops teams, to gather for a day of gratitude at the second annual Rock the Squads!

The event will feature free lunch catered by Malbon Brothers for VBEMS members and their families, musical entertainment by School of Rock, ambulance and squad competitions (Rock the Skills and Rock the Box) as well as free commemorative t-shirts and challenge coins for all members.

Presented by City of Virginia Beach Department of EMS, Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation and Sentara Healthcare.


Get Details!
For VB EMS Volunteers
Did You Know? The Volunteer Rescue Squads of Virginia Beach...

  • Are made up of more than 1,000 operational, support and special operations team members, many of whom volunteer 48 or more hours of their time each month.

  • Answer 45,000+ 9-1-1 calls per year.

  • Rely on community support to purchase vehicles, ambulances and equipment.

  • Save taxpayers an estimated $24 million each year.

  • Boast cardiac arrest survival rates considerably higher than the national average.


Bring The Family and Join The Celebration

On Sunday, May 20 from 12-4 p.m., we’re recognizing the efforts of the dedicated individuals who make up the largest volunteer-based EMS system in the country.

Live Entertainment

Enjoy the entertaining tunes of DJ Julian Rivera and performances by local talent, School of Rock.

Tasty Treats

Malbon’s Barbecue will serve up tasty pork barbecue, fried chicken and sides starting at noon for members and their families.

Squad Competitions

Show off your ambulances and other equipment, which will be judged for awards, and squads will field teams in a skills competition, carrying CPR dummies on a backboard, up the Trashmore hill.

Get Details!
Special Thanks to our Event Sponsors
Are you an EMS volunteer?

You should have received an email from EMS with a link to RSVP for the event, which is required if you plan to attend for lunch! If you didn't receive the email, call the EMS office at 385-2911 or fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you with details.