UCSD EMS SYstem
Frequently asked questions
Updated: September 1, 2024
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Does Emergency Medical Services at UCSD (EMS at UCSD) provide emergency medical services to the UC San Diego Campus?
EMS at UCSD is a registered undergraduate student organization that has been advocating for the creation of a student-run on-campus EMS system since its founding in 2016. It does not provide medical staffing or support on campus for liability reasons.
The student organization has been working closely with campus administration for the creation of on-campus EMT jobs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, student-EMTs were hired as UCSD student-employees to provide transportation (a role similar to inter-facility transfers) and infection-control services on campus. Ultimately, our goal is to have EMT-certified students staff events and assist other agencies on campus in a first-responder role in an official capacity.
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Are EMS at UCSD and the UC San Diego Emergency Medical Services (UCSD EMS) project he same thing?
No, they are not the same entity. EMS at UCSD is a student organization focused on advocacy, education, and community engagement. It does not provide medical care or services. The UCSD EMS project is a proposal led by current and former EMS at UCSD members, community members, and departmental staff.
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How were other University of California (UC) campuses able to create EMS systems?
Other UC campuses, notably UC Los Angeles and UC Davis, have official EMS programs where students provide EMS services to their respective communities. Other campuses have similar programs that range in scope of their students' activities. Many collegiate systems were created before more restrictive regulations were put in place or have partnerships with formal EMS providers.
The creation of an EMS system is a highly laborious process that can take many years; each EMS system must be tailored to the needs of the population it serves and continuously evolve. It also requires consideration to regulations, jurisdiction, quality-assurance, training, health-care compliance, funding, liability, and community support.
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What is the future of the UCSD EMS project? (Updated September 2024)
The UCSD EMS project initially considered the creation of an ambulance-based response system. For multiple reasons, this was discovered to be unfeasible. Recently, the placement of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Torrey Pines Fire Station on campus represents a new avenue for student-EMTs to collaborate with community agencies. Updates to the project will be communicated on this website and in the student organization's newsletter.
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Are there any ways I can become involved with the UCSD EMS project?
The best way to help further the UCSD EMS project is to join EMS at UCSD, the student organization. We welcome all students regardless of background or experience in EMS. Supporting EMS at UCSD will help it in its educational and advocacy activities. Importantly, it will highlight the positive contributions of students on campus and demonstrate students' leadership abilities.
Please do not directly contact University entities to advocate for the project. This can result in confusion and a repetition of ideas that have already been explored in depth. Those working on the project have been in contact with specific UCSD stakeholders since 2018. There are also other considerations to the success of the project that have not been explicitly highlighted here. If you have ideas on how to help the project, please contact us directly.