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About Us

About UD EMS:

University of Dayton Emergency Medical Services (UD EMS), formerly known as UD Rescue Squad, is located on the University of Dayton's Campus in Dayton, Ohio. Founded in 1992, we are a 100% student run volunteer emergency medical services organization composed of undergraduate students. We provide pre-hospital care and transportation for all medical, trauma, and mental health emergencies on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the academic year.

All UD EMS members are nationally and locally certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Members undergo rigorous classroom and practical training to obtain their EMT certification, as well as any further certifications they may pursue. Once certified, members are required to attend training sessions on campus that focus on many of the challenges and skills of the pre-hospital environment, as well as attend continuing education seminars at local hospitals.

UD EMS is a proud member of the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. It is also recognized by the University of Dayton as a student run organization and division of UD Public Safety. UD EMS has won many National Collegiate EMS Foundation awards, including being recognized three times as the NCEMSF top EMS organization. See our Awards & Honors page for more information.

How We Began:

UD EMS was founded in November of 1992 by a few Public Safety Cadets after they determined the need for a rapid EMS response on campus. A donated university van stocked with medical supplies was used as the ambulance, and a side room in the Public Safety building as the station. No formal training was provided through the organization, and the cadets were the only active members. UD EMS was usually available on weekends, but there was no set schedule.

UD EMS began the 1993 school year with seven trained EMTs and a used ambulance (donated '78 Chevy). UD EMS began responding to calls on campus from Thursday through Saturday from 7pm to 7am. This was also the first year that the EMT training course was sponsored by Public Safety so that nine undergraduate students could earn their licensure.

In 1994, Residential Services donated the house located at 214 Lawnview Avenue in the student neighborhood to the Rescue Squad. The house served as our administrative headquarters, and included a kitchen, living room, computer room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. 

During the 1997-98 academic year, UD EMS obtained its Basic Life Support license from the state for the first time. UD EMS' professionalism and commitment to training were recognized by the area's medical director, who granted permission for qualified squad members to intubate and utilize certain drugs while rendering care to patients.

In 2000, with the help of UD Public Safety director John Delamer, UD EMS alumnus Tom Beers and Dr. Bill Schuerman, and the University, UD EMS purchased a factory demonstrator 2000 Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance for approximately $75,000. With this purchase, it became clear that UD EMS was a permanent organization at UD.

During the summer of 2008, UD EMS finally saw its dream of having a garage to house the ambulance materialize. With the help of adviser Randy Groesbeck, and other university administrators, an industrial size heated garage was built next to the UD EMS house. The garage was completed at the end of the summer and came in to service at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.

In the fall of 2012, the outdated ambulance was replaced with a brand new ambulance. The new Squad 1 was made possible with the help of UD Public Safety and advisor, Major Randall Groesbeck. The new ambulance features updates including a more spacious cabin, numerous safety-related updates, more efficient storage, reverse-cameras, and a smoother, more comfortable drive for both patients and Rescue Squad members.

In the summer of 2016, the old house was demolished and then rebuilt with new technologies and an updated design. While still located at 214 Lawnview, this new house provides the members with a space better suited to the needs of the squad. It is able to host larger numbers of people for events and allows the members to complete all of the tasks needed on a shift to prepare them for any calls. 

For more information about UD EMS, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. 

Follow Us:

Check us out on social media for frequent updates on our organization:

Facebook: UD EMS Facebook

Instagram: UD EMS Instagram (or search UD_EMS)

Linked-In: UD EMS Linked-In 

Emergency Information

Call 911 from UD campus phones*

Call (937) 229-2121 from all other phones

*Non-campus phones and cell phones will reach the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center when dialing 911. Add (937) 229-2121 to your cell phone for emergency calls to University of Dayton Public Safety.

CONTACT

Department of Public Safety 937-229-2131 (administrative offices)

Fitz Hall
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2914
937-229-2121
Email
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