South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS) is comprised of two divisions: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Technical Rescue Team (TRT). Potential members should indicate which division(s) they are interested in joining when applying to the squad. Below is information about each division, as well as information about the application process itself.

Division Descriptions:

Technical Rescue Team (TRT)

The TRT focuses on three specific technical rescue disciplines: swift water rescue, confined space rescue, and high angle rescue. Membership in this division requires attendance at six of the twelve training sessions held each year at minimum. SORS organizes monthly Saturday sessions for training, and provides opportunities for members to attend other training sessions outside of SORS. In order to become a full member of TRT several years of training are typically necessary to accrue all certifications at the necessary level. Provisional members may respond to calls and participate up to the level of their training. Complete training requirements will be provided to provisional members by the training officer, and must be completed to become a regular member.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The EMS Division provides standby EMS coverage at various special events such as high school and UNC sporting events and community festivals in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. The EMS Division also staffs an ambulance on the UNC campus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Provisional Members (cadets) are required to complete a strict training regimen before they earn regular status. The training includes 48 hours a month actively working on an ambulance, either through the Orange County EMS System or for SORS. Complete training requirements will be provided to provisional members by their team leader, and must be completed to become a regular member. It takes provisional members an average of 6-8 months to complete all the training requirements. After the cadetship, full division members are then required to work 24 hours per month on either the SORS ambulance or SORS special events.

SORS Membership Application

The membership form is in .pdf format. A free reader may be obtained at www.acrobat.com. Once you have opened the application form, it may be filled out on your computer. Please print it out and mail to the address at the bottom of the application. Thank you for your interest in South Orange Rescue Squad.

Application Process:

SORS interviews and accepts new members in three month cycles. Only individuals who present completed applications with all supplemental materials provided will be eligible to interview.

Individuals applying for the EMS division must provide:

• A copy of their current EMT-B or higher certification
• A copy of their current CPR certification (must be CPR and AED infant through adult, usually listed as BLS Healthcare Provider or CPR for the professional rescuer)
• A copy of their driving record in the state which they hold a license
• A copy of their Orange County, NC criminal record
• A copy of Hepatitis B vaccination record or declination

Individuals applying for the TRT Division must provide:

• A copy of their driving record in the state which they hold a license
• A copy of their Orange County, NC criminal record
• Minimum of CPR and Medical Responder certification within a year of joining. Applicants without a current EMS credential must provide proof of enrollment in an EMT class or other acknowledgement of this requirement.

Prospective applicants should download the membership application and return the application to the address provided along with all supplemental materials. SORS recommends that all applicants retain copies of all supplemental materials for their personal records. Applications which are not complete before the cut off date will be held until the next interview cycle. A member of the membership committee will contact you within seven days of receipt of an application to discuss the interview process and any other steps that may need to be taken.

Interviews are conducted with a panel of SORS members representing a variety of divisions and committees within the organization.

The interview for perspective EMS Division members consists of:

• An oral interview portion
• Skills evaluation involving patient assessment and scenarios
• Demonstration of the applicant's ability to lift a loaded stretcher without assistance

The interview for perspective TRT members consists of:

• An oral interview portion
• Demonstration of the applicant's ability to lift a loaded stretcher without assistance

Upon completion of interviews, the membership committee will convene and evaluate all of the prospective members. Based on the number of available slots in each division, the membership committee will either:

• Recommend the applicant for membership. The applicant is presented to the general membership at the next squad business meeting where they will have the opportunity to voice any questions or concerns about the applicant.
• Not recommend the applicant for membership at that time. Applicants who fall into this category are encouraged to interview again during a later application cycle and their applications are retained for a period of one year.

A decision will be provided to each interviewee within 7 days of a completed interview. Individuals who are approved by the general membership become provisional members of the division(s) to which they applied. Members then undergo an orientation process which is designed to introduce them to the system and provide detailed information on training requirements, supplemental information, etc.