Day in and day out, many people pass by the College of Charleston ambulance tucked between the St. Philip Street Parking Garage and the BellSouth Building without a glance until its lights and siren signal an emergency. Little does the public realize that CofC students, who serve as emergency response volunteers, man the ambulance.
Since 1995, the College has had its own emergency medical technicians (EMTs) providing medical care and transportation free of charge to students, faculty and staff as well as the surrounding community. The College of Charleston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team is in service throughout the school year from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m.
To join this elite team, volunteers must get certified as an EMT, which means they have to complete a 16-week Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) credited course. Through the course, they learn about anatomy, physiology, EMS operations, and patient assessment and treatment. The group is also licensed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as a Basic Life Support (BLS) transport agency and has an average response time of three minutes.
To read more about Honors Students, Megan Golbus’ and Jack Golder’s, experience with College of Charleston EMS, check out the full article by Katherine Jordan at The College Today. Photos provided.
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