Formerly known as UD Rescue Squad, the University of Dayton Emergency Medical Services (UD EMS) is 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.
Collegiate EMS Organization of the Year, NCEMSF:
1999, 2003, 2017
Ohio Senatorial Proclamation honoring UD EMS as top EMS organization:
2003
Outstanding Collegiate EMS Week, NCEMSF:
2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019
Collegiate EMS Community Engagement Program of the Year:
2020
EMS Week Celebration of the Year Award, NCEMSF:
2021
Collegiate EMS Striving for Excellence, NCEMSF:
1999-2002, 1999-2002, 2002-2005, 2006-2009, 2009-2012, 2019-2022
Top Organization Award, UD:
2001-2002
Organization Award of Excellence:
2021
Spirit of UD Award (formerly Top Organization Award):
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Annual Philanthropic Service Award, UD:
2003
Leadership Development Program of the Year, UD:
2003, 2005, 2006
Most Innovative Program of the Year, UD:
2005, 2006
Ohio Department of Public Safety Agency of the Year award
2016
Emergency Ready Campus Bronze Award
2019
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association Award
2019
An EMT-B is an emergency responder trained to provide pre-hospital care and transportation for all medical, mental health, and trauma emergencies and non-emergencies. We are CPR and BLS (basic life support) certified. At UD, our EMTs are fully volunteer and partake in UD specific trainings including, but not limited to: campus directions/locations, the University's medical amnesty policies, collaboration with UDPD, and a familiarity with the student population on campus.
Once accepted in to our program, new members begin by taking the EMT class together over the course of the fall semester. During the first week of the class, new members are taught CPR & AED for the healthcare provider, and are also trained to drive the ambulance. Additionally, new members begin working weekly shifts for UD EMS at the beginning of the school year. This unique program allows new members to gain valuable experience while they are still in training, and also bond with fellow new members on the squad.
Each year, UD EMS loses approximately one-third of its members to graduation and gains an equivalent amount of new members. With such a high turnover rate, continuing training and preparation are crucial to UD EMS' ability to effectively treat patients. All of our non-provisional members have completed the 120 hours of initial classroom training and 24 hours of clinical experience required to become certified as an EMT.
Preceding the start of each academic year, UD EMS plans a Training Week to give all returning members a refresher on a variety of EMS topics. Members move in a week early, and attend continuing education lectures in the morning and afternoon throughout the week. Lectures are delivered by area physicians, paramedics, and EMS coordinators. Once the school year begins, continuing education lectures are held on a monthly basis for members.
UD EMS also holds training calls to help members improve their assessment skills and confidence on calls. These calls are planned by the Training Officer, and often feature more challenging scenarios such as cardiac arrest or severe trauma.
Promotion Processes
All UD EMS members start out working as 3rds (also known as drivers) when on duty. In order to become promoted to a 2nd, and eventually a Crew Chief, members go through a rigorous promotion process to prove their skills and knowledge. Crew Chiefs, in particular, must complete a considerable amount of additional training. They are required to attend International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), and also have to participate in additional outside clinical opportunities.
UD EMS offers American Health & Safety Institute CPR and First Aid classes through certified instructors. Both group and private classes are offered throughout the academic school year, and UD students receive a $5 student discount. Each class lasts approximately 2 hours and all attendees will receive certifications. Registration for our classes can be made through our class portal. Each group class is limited to 30 students, and will automatically close after it has reached this limit.
If you have any questions, or would like to host a private class, please email our CPR Coordinator at cprudems@udayton.edu.
If you would like to practice your CPR skills but do not have time to attend a class, you can practice at the hands-only CPR station in the UD Recplex next to the basketball courts. Please note that this simulator does not provide certifications.
Each spring (in March and April), a class of approximately 20 students is chosen to join our organization and become trained as certified EMTs. If you are a rising sophomore or rising junior at the University of Dayton, then you are eligible for membership. Absolutely no medical experience is needed. We will train you!
Current students can learn more about the application process in Porches.
Would you like to spend a night riding with us to see what we actually do? Prospective members and anyone else who is interested in learning more about our organization can ride with us during overnight and weekend day shifts during the spring semester.
If at any point in time you have questions or want to join our mailing list, email our Assistant Chief of Personnel at acpudems@udayton.edu.
If you are a former member of UD EMS (UD Rescue Squad) and wish to be included in our semi-annual newsletter and other alumni events, please email publicrelationsudems@udayton.edu.