Volunteer EMTs Provide Medical Response Support on Campus

"The vehicles are part of a student-led emergency medical response unit, connected to the student health center, that trains student volunteers to provide health care and assistance to their peers. For the university, the unit provides emergency response support and health education to all students. For volunteers, the experience gives them needed work-based learning and professional development for future careers as medical professionals."

"In action: FSU's Medical Response Unit includes more than 150 trained student volunteers on staff, including Vargheese, who serves as director of administration for the unit. Volunteers are certified in various roles, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics. To be eligible, students must be empathetic and committed to improving campus health and welfare. All volunteers agree to participate for four semesters including training, so students are primarily admitted in their first or second year of college."

The Medical Response Unit at Florida State University operates on campus with more than 150 trained student volunteers who are certified in roles such as emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The unit is connected to the student health center and provides emergency response support, basic treatments, transports to health services, and health education for the student population. Volunteers commit to four semesters of participation and training, are typically admitted in their first or second year, and must demonstrate empathy and dedication to campus welfare. Crews of three to four members work 2 hour 15 minute shifts across daytime hours. Selection is competitive, with recent cycles receiving 350 applications for 50 positions.

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