Life on the Dartmouth campus just got a little bit safer.
The Dartmouth Emergency Medical Services Club obtained a license last term which converted it into a certified Emergency Medical Technician unit. Members of the group can now provide services much like those offered by an ambulance squad at events the group covers.
The group, which also conducts training sessions, is made up of a core of about ten officers, who carry out much of the planning and organization. They work closely with a pool of EMTs on campus, who can be contacted via blitz.
"We have a core group as well as a resource group we can tap into to provide services on campus," Dartmouth EMS Chief and Director Erik Wang '02 said.
Founded in June 1999, the Dartmouth EMS operates on two levels.
The first emphasizes training and education, which makes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and EMT classes available to all members of the Dartmouth community.
"One of our goals is to get as many people on campus trained and certified in CPR as possible," Wang said. "In case of a heart attack, we want as many people as possible to know what to do."
The Dartmouth EMS has also been covering college-sponsored activities like this past weekend's Polar Bear Swim, as well as athletic events such as hockey games.
The group operates on what it calls stand-by event coverage, in which Dartmouth EMTs provide first aid and contact the Hanover fire department if an ambulance is necessary.
"At athletic events, there are trainers there to take care of the athletes, but there really isn't anyone to take care of members of the crowd," Sarah Mead '05, the group Secreatary, said.
"We want to provide services for those who might not have anyone to take care of them in case of an emergency," Mead said.
Certification by the state of New Hampshire enables the Dartmouth EMS to provide basic EMT services until an ambulance arrives at the scene.
"Certification requires going through the division of medical services in New Hampshire and an agreement with your medical resource hospital," Wang said.
It also requires the support of the College in terms of insurance and medical direction, Wang said.
Becoming an EMT involves taking about 120 hours of training.
The curriculum, which includes classroom hours and lab practice time, is standardized by the Department of Transportation. For students taking the class at Dartmouth, this translates into taking classes twice a week from January until May.
All events covered by the EMTs are done on an entirely voluntary basis, though the group does accept voluntary monetary contributions in exchange for the services they provide.
"Right now we have start-up funds from Health Services as well as the Tucker Foundation, but these are just one time start-up funds to help us to get on our feet," Wang said.
Among the Ivy League schools, Columbia, Brown and Cornell also have EMS clubs.