Volunteer Roles

CAVAC Volunteer Opportunities

CAVAC is an organization dedicated to helping its community – we are truly “people helping people.” All our new volunteers receive the appropriate training for their roles.  Although we do employ paid, professional Paramedics for our core daily service, all other CAVAC members are volunteers. Our members get great satisfaction from their many contributions to CAVAC and the Cazenovia area community.  

CAVAC is always in need of new volunteers to serve as drivers, crew coordinators, EMTs, general members, and Student Corps. We would love to talk with you about how you might contribute to CAVAC. Complete our On-Line Information Request Form  or download an application or send an e-mail to volunteer@cavacambulance.org or call 315-655-9798.


 

Driver

CAVAC’s standard ambulance crew consists of a volunteer driver and a paid paramedic.  In addition to driving the ambulance, CAVAC drivers assist the medic as required; medical training or background is not required beyond basic CPR (provided). Drivers agree to staff a minimum of two 6-hour shifts each month, but are also needed for less-regular backup shifts or temporary assignments (e.g., standby duty at football games and races). Many of our volunteers are retirees who go to warmer climates in the winter months so the required shifts per month apply when you are residing in the service area of CAVAC. 

Drivers living near CAVAC may be able to cover overnight shifts from home.  A new driver will typically spend 3-4 months of training under other experienced drivers on shifts.  There are two bunk rooms where our overnight crews can sleep.  

Request more information…


Crew Coordinator (FORMERLY  Dispatcher)

Crew coordinators work at CAVAC base, contacting backup crews, answering the phone, logging call information, greeting walk-ins, and handling other administrative duties. Crew coordinators agree to serve a minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month. Many of our volunteers are retirees who go to warmer climates in the winter months so the required shifts per month apply when you are residing in the service area of CAVAC. Crew coordinator trainees will shadow other crew coordinators during their training and onboarding.  Crew coordinators work 3-4 hour shifts from 7am to 10pm.

Request more information…


 

EMT

Volunteer EMTs assist our paid paramedics as crew members on some shifts, but also may handle Basic Life Support (BLS) calls on their own and serve as backup medical.  Many volunteers start as drivers and receive EMT training while serving as CAVAC members. EMTs generally work 6-hour shifts and many also act as drivers in addition to EMT’s.

Request more information…


General Membership

If you have limited free time or can’t serve as a crew coordinator or driver or EMT you can still help! Members who are not on active duty can help CAVAC thrive by:

  • serving on committees (e.g., public affairs)
  • helping with CAVAC events (e.g., fundraisers)
  • supporting our IT functions, including this web site
  • helping manage building and ambulance maintenance

Request more information…

Student Corps

Get more information…