Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Inc.
Public SafetyVirginia, United States51-200 Employees
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Inc. (CARS) is a volunteer public safety organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia, serving the local community since 1960. It operates an extensive fleet of emergency response vehicles and units, including multiple advanced life ambulances, quick response cars, heavy rescue trucks, water rescue assets, and support trailers, all funded primarily through community donations. The squad maintains personnel trained at both advanced life support and basic life support levels, with extensive certification requirements and ongoing education to address trauma and medical emergencies. Dispatch is handled by the Emergency Communications Center, with predetermined assignments aimed at optimizing response time and staffing levels during peak demand. In addition to its core rescue and medical services, CARS has engaged in partnerships and collaborations with local organizations to support behavioral health and substance use crisis response initiatives, reflecting a broader commitment to community emergency services.