Technical Rescue

Passenger Vehicle Operations/Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible passenger vehicle rescue operations based on objectives from NFPA 1006, Standard on Technical Rescue Professional Qualifications and NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

This 16- hour course provides the entry-level rescuer with classroom and practical training in common passenger vehicle rescue.  This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 8 and the students will perform at the Passenger Vehicle Operations and Technician Levels as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 8.

This course combines classroom and practical training for performance at a common passenger vehicle rescue.  This includes vehicle anatomy, systematic approach to vehicle rescue incidents, common passenger vehicle stabilization, incident hazard isolation, access and egress of common passenger vehicles, disentanglement of victims, the packaging and removal of victims for a common passenger vehicle and operating as a member of a rescue team and directing rescue operations.

Students will receive a VDFP Certificate of Attendance upon successful completion of the course.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed.  2021
Passenger Vehicle Operations and Technician Review Guide
Passenger Vehicle Operations and Technician Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
Jan. 24-25 (Cumberland)
Feb. 14-15 (Accomack)
May 2-3 (Pulaski)
June 13-14 (Abingdon/Washington County)
Aug. 15-16 (Surry)
Sept. 12-13 (Wise Regional)
Sept. 26-27 (Amherst)
Oct. 24-25 (New Kent)
Dec. 5-6 (Culpeper)

Heavy Vehicle Rescue Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible heavy vehicle rescue operations based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescue Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

This 24-hour course provides the rescuer with classroom and practical training in common heavy vehicle rescue. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 9 and the students will perform at the Heavy Vehicle Operations and Technician Levels as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 8.

This course combines classroom and practical training for performance at a common heavy vehicle rescue. To include vehicle anatomy, systematic approach to heavy vehicle rescue incidents, heavy vehicle stabilization, resource recognition for the use of heavy equipment during an incident, incident hazard isolation, access and egress of heavy vehicles, disentanglement of victims which includes heavy lifting operations with various rescue tools, the packaging and removal of victims from a heavy vehicle and operating as a member of a rescue team and directing rescue operations.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Passenger Vehicle Operations and Technician or Vehicle Operations Standard Year 2013 to present

2026 Offerings:
Feb. 6-8 (Southhampton)
March 20-22 (Caroline Regional)
April 15-17 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
May 29-31 (Montgomery/Riner)
July 31-Aug. 2 (Division 3 Rescue Week - Lynchburg)
Sept. 18-20 (South Hill)
Oct. 7-9 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
Oct. 19-21 (Hampton)
Nov. 9-11 (Danville)

Machinery Rescue Operations – NFPA 1006-17

This program meets or exceeds the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standards on Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualification, Chapter 12, Awareness & Operations. The students will learn to perform at the Operations Level as specified in NFPA 1670, Standards on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 12.

This 16-hour program includes classroom and practical training in common machinery anatomy, systematic approach to machinery rescue incidents, common machinery stabilization, incident hazard isolation, access and egress of common machinery, disentanglement of victims, the packaging and removal of victims, and operating as a member of a rescue team and directing rescue operations.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Passenger Vehicle Operations and Technician or Vehicle Operations Standard Year 2013 to present

2026 Offerings:
Jan. 26-27 (Richmond)
Feb. 28-March 1 (Division 6 Rescue Week - Bedford)
April 13-14 (Division 1 Rescue Week - Public Safety Training Center)
June 20-21 (Division 7 Rescue Week - Arlington)
Sept. 19-20 (South Hill)
Oct. 5-6 (Division 1 Rescue Week - Public Safety Training Center)

Rope Operations (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible rope rescue operations (low and high angle) based on objectives from NFPA 1006, Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications and NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

The 32-hour course provides the entry-level rescuer with classroom and practical training in the understanding of operating in a low and high angle environment.  This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 5, and the students will train to perform at the Operations Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 5 Rope Rescue.

The course combines classroom and practical training for performance at an operations level involving rope rescues including directing rope rescue system operations, scene size up, PPE and equipment maintenance, knots, mechanical advantage systems, lowering systems, tensioned two rope systems, multiple point anchor systems, fixed rope systems, and serving as a litter attendant in a low and high angle environment.  The program presents the concepts and application of vectors, resultants, system slack, safety checks and tensioned two rope systems.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Low Angle / Rope Operations Review Guide
Low Angle / Rope Operations Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
Feb. 14-15 & Feb. 21-22 (Mecklenburg/South Hill)
July 11-12 & July 18-19 (Fluvanna)
July 21-31 (Mt. Weather)
Sept. 26-27 & Oct. 3-4 (Division 2 Rescue Week)

Rope Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible rope rescue technician objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

The 32-hour course provides the operational rescuer with classroom and practical training in the
understanding of operating in a vertical and horizontal environment, stabilizing, and rescuing victims, and ascending and descending rope. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 5 and the students will train to perform at the Operations Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 5 Rope Rescue.

This four-day program provides rescuers with classroom and practical training in the rigging and operation of advanced rope rescue systems. To include, directing rope rescue systems, descending, and ascending, access and remove a victim on a structure without a harness, mechanical advantage systems, lowering systems, tensioned two rope systems, climbing a structural fixed ladder using personal fall arrest system, construct and operate horizontal track line systems.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Rope Technician On Demand Pre-Course

2026 Offerings:
March 2-5 (Division 6 Rescue Week - Roanoke)
April 13-14 (Division 1 Rescue Week - Petersburg)
June 22-25 (Division 7 Rescue Week - Loudoun)
Oct. 5-8 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
Nov. 12-15 (Danville)

Tower Rescue Operations/Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This program meets or exceeds the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 4. The students will learn to perform at the Technician Level as specified in NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 16.

This 32 hour program includes classroom and practical training including climbing vertically and horizontally on a structure above their anchors, completing an assignment while suspended from a rope rescue system, moving a victim, selecting and constructing a system, directing a team in the operation on various structures such as cell towers, cranes and transmission towers.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Rope Technician (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)

2026 Offerings:
Feb. 23-26 (Division 6 Rescue Week - Bedford)
March 9-12 (Virginia Beach)
June 15-18 (Division 7 Rescue Week - Prince William)
Aug. 3-6 (Division 3 Rescue Week)
Nov. 2-5 (Virginia Beach)
Dec. 7-10 (Prince William)

Confined Space Technician (NFPA 1006-21)
Available until June 2026. New course launching in June is Confined Space Awareness/Operations/Technician

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible confined space rescue operations based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

The 16-hour course provides the entry-level rescuer with classroom and practical training in the understanding of the confined space environment and complex non-line of sight rescues. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 7 and the students will train to perform at the Technician Level as specified in NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 7 Confined Space Search and Rescue.

Course topics include identifying confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces, state and federal regulations, components of a technician level rescue operation, hazard recognition/risk assessment, atmospheric monitoring, preparation for entry, entering both vertical and horizontally oriented confined spaces, packaging a victim(s) and safe removal of the victim(s) and all entrants.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Confined Space Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)

2026 Offerings:
March 7-8 (Division 6 Rescue Week - Roanoke)
March 21-22 (Caroline Regional)
April 13-14 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
April 15-16 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
May 21-22 (Norfolk)

Confined Space Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

Launching June 2026

2026 Offerings:
June 22-24 (Division 7 Rescue Week - Manassas)
Oct. 5-7 (Division 1 Rescue Week)

Trench Rescue Operations (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible trench rescue operations based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

This 16-hour course provides the entry-level rescuer with classroom and practical training in the
understanding of, and operations withing, a trench rescue environment. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 12 and the students will train to perform at the Operations Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 11 Trench Search and Rescue.

This course combines classroom and practical training for performance at an operations level involving trench rescues, to include sizing up existing and potential conditions at a trench emergency, implementing a hazard control plan, identifying soil types and collapse patterns, implementing a shoring plan for a nonintersecting trench no more than 8 feet in depth, conducting digging operations, and removing a victim from a trench. The course presents tabulated data and introduces students to shoring techniques using lumber, pneumatic struts, and a range of backfill options.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Confined Space Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Trench Operations Review Guide
Trench Operations Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
April 13-14 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
June 1-2 (Spotsylvania)
Oct. 5-6 (Division 1 Rescue Week)

Trench Rescue Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible trench rescue operations based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

This 24-hour course provides the entry-level rescuer with classroom and practical training in the
understanding of, and operations within, a trench rescue environment. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 12 and the students will train to perform at the Technician Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 11 Trench Search and Rescue.

This course combines classroom and practical training for performance at a technician level involving trench rescues, to include sizing up existing and potential conditions at a trench emergency, implementing a hazard control plan, identifying soil types and collapse patterns, implementing a shoring plan for an intersecting trench, implanting a shoring plan for a deep trench, implementing a shoring plan for a significant wall failure, conducting a heavy lift operations, conducting digging operations, and removing a victim from a trench. The course presents tabulated data and introduces students to shoring techniques using pneumatic struts and a range of backfill options.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Confined Space Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Trench Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Trench Technician Review Guide
Trench Technician Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
March 13-15 (Albemarle Regional)
April 15-17 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
June 3-5 (Spotsylvania)
Aug. 3-5 (Division 3 Rescue Week - Lynchburg)
Oct. 7-9 (Division 1 Rescue Week)

Surface Water Operations/Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This program meets or exceeds the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for the Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 17. The student will learn to perform at the Technician level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, Chapter 16.

This 30-hour program is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of surface water rescue of victims in confined water or water whose movement is less than 1 knot. Students will receive training in planning the response, proper PPE selection, information gathering, reach and throw rescue techniques, boat assisted rescue and recovery techniques and personal survival/self-rescue skills. Students will be expected to demonstrate survival-swimming skills with the use of a personal floatation device as part of the class.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Surface Water Swim Test Requirements Video
Surface Water Operations and Technician On Demand Pre-Course

2026 Offerings:
May 13-19 (York Co.)
June 26-28 (Washington Co.)
July 10-12 (Richlands)
July 31-Aug. 2 (Division 3 Rescue Week - Amherst)
Sept. 11-13 (Wise Regional)
Sept. 28-30 (Division 2 Rescue Week)

Swift Water Rescue Operations/Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides foundational training to advanced skills and techniques to prepare students for a wide variety of possible water rescues that incorporates swift water / flood rescue based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

The 40-hour course provides the rescuer with classroom and practical training in the understanding of operating in a swift water / flood rescue environment. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapters 18 and 23 and the students will train to perform at the Operations and Technician Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapters 18 and 23, swift water / flood rescue. Prior to practical training, each student is required to successfully complete a swim qualification test to establish a student’s ability to have swim skills required to complete the required skills while operating in swift / flood water rescue environments.  During the four days of instruction, students will learn about operating on scene of a swift / flood water incident, water hazards, personal protective equipment, resources required (ie. High water vehicles, helicopters), hydrology, swim techniques in moving water, rope systems, shore-based rescue, and skills needed to execute a “Go” rescue.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Surface Water Operations and Technician
Low Angle Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present) or Rope Operations (NFPA 1006 Standard Year 2013 to Present)
Swift Water Swim Test Requirements Video
Swift Water Operations and Technician Review Guide
Swift Water Operations and Technician Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
April 7-10 (Chesterfield)
April 23-26 (Blacksburg)
Oct. 13-16 (Henrico)
Dec. 3-6 (Richmond)

Watercraft Operations and Technician (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides foundational training to advanced skills and techniques to prepare students for a wide variety of possible water rescues that incorporates watercraft rescue based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

The 40-hour course provides the rescuer with classroom and practical training in the understanding of operating watercraft in a rescue environment. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 22 and the students will train to perform at the Operations and Technician Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 22, watercraft rescue. During the four days of instruction, students will learn about identifying the types of watercraft used and configured by organizations so that their limitations, capabilities, load ratings, performance criteria, and considerations for their deployment and recovery in the intended environments, along with locating access and egress points, propulsion systems, steering controls, communications, emergency equipment, and necessary fittings and portals for water and weathertight integrity.  Prepare a watercraft to get underway, given a watercraft available to the agency so that preoperational checks are performed, systems are energized, propulsions systems started, functional checked conducted, and the watercraft is ready to be deployed.  Students will operate and maneuver watercraft as set by the program.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Surface Water Operations and Technician
Swift Water Operations and Technician
Watercraft Operations and Technician Review Guide
Watercraft Operations and Technician Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
March 2-5 (Arlington)
March 30-April 2 (Arlington)
May 18-21 (Arlington)

EBSS (Emergency Building Shoring Systems)

2026 Offerings:
Aug. 14 (Build), Aug. 15-16 (Petersburg)
Sept. 25 (Build), Sept. 26-27 (Division 2 Rescue Week)

Low Angle Rope Rescue (NFPA 1006-21)

This course provides a foundation to prepare students for a wide variety of possible rope rescue operations (low and high angle) based on objectives from NFPA 1006 Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 2500/1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

The 16-hour course provides the entry-level rescuer with classroom and practical training in low angle rope rescues. This course meets the requirements for NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, Chapter 5 and the students will train to perform at the Low Angle Rope Rescue Level as specified in NFPA 2500/1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, Chapter 5 Rope Rescue.

The course combines classroom and practical training for performance at a low angle operations level involving rope rescues. To include, directing low angle rope rescue system operations, scene size up, PPE and equipment maintenance, knots, mechanical advantage systems, lowering systems, tensioned two rope systems, multiple point anchor systems, fixed rope systems, and serving as a litter attendant in a low angle environment. The program presents the concepts and application of system slack, safety checks and tensioned two rope systems.

Prerequisites:
Technical Rescue Awareness Ed. 2021
Low Angle / Rope Operations Review Guide
Low Angle / Rope Operations Review Quiz

2026 Offerings:
April 11-12 (Galax)
Sept. 12-13 (Wise Regional)

Paddlecraft

2026 Offerings:
April 17-19 (Division 1 Rescue Week)
Nov. 13-15 (Richmond)