After only three months of operation, the only student-run Emergency Medical Service agency in Westchester—founded and led by veteran Eastchester EMT Stephen Schiff—has responded to more than 30 emergencies, getting to victims by as much as 15 minutes faster than last year.
That’s because the fledgling Purchase College Emergency Medical Service unit, approved by the New York State Department of Health in December, is right where it’s needed: on campus.
In years past, the 4,000-student school, one of 64 campuses in the state university system, had to rely solely on the town/village of Harrison EMS, which needed 15 to 20 minutes to get to Purchase from its base 5 miles from campus, Schiff said.
“We’re able to respond to campus emergencies in three to five minutes,” Schiff said. “Those few extra minutes can make a major difference in treating someone.”
The Harrison EMS continues to back up the student-run unit, which has no ambulance. But,
Schiff said, “We’re able to treat any medical emergency on campus.”
Members of the Purchase College unit are certified Emergency Medical Technicians. They typically spend a full semester learning basic EMT skills needed to provide high quality emergency medical care. They are trained in advanced CPR techniques, patient assessment skills, trauma care and defibrillator usage, as well as incident command, a critical skill in maintaining order in medical emergencies.
The 24/7 operation—which has the 90 student-members working in 12-hour shifts—is funded by the Purchase Student Government Association. The $10,000 budget paid for advanced bleeding-control equipment, EMS response bags, pediatric supplies, training materials and blue uniforms emblazoned with large white letters so that EMTs are “readily identifiable on scene,” Schiff said.
The money also allows the agency to offer EMT certification classes, CPR training for students on campus and first aid classes—free of charge. So far this semester, Schiff has taught approximately 30 students.
Schiff, a 2007 SUNY Albany graduate, is taking courses at Purchase to become a physician’s assistant. He said it “took a long time” to get approval for the outfit, and, he added, “It was an exhausting process—we had to get so many things from so many different people.” But, he said, it’s been worth the effort.
On its first night of operation in January, the agency responded to three calls from midnight to 4 a.m. “You never know what you’re going to get with emergency medicine,” Schiff said. “It’s always a different experience.”
The Purchase College administration is very supportive of the efforts of the agency. “It’s a real benefit to the community to have our own EMS here on campus,” said Purchase President Thomas Schwartz. “I’m proud of the students who are involved.”
